The star pitcher declined his $25 million player option for next season.
HOUSTON — Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander has opted out of his contract and is now a free agent Thursday morning.
The star pitcher declined his $25 million player option for next season.
Verlander got his first win in a World Series start during the team’s championship run this season and is a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award.
Crane said he is hopeful the Astros can keep him after his remarkable comeback from Tommy John surgery this season. Verlander is expected to win his third Cy Young award after leading the majors with a career-low 1.75 ERA and topping the American League with 18 wins following an almost two-year layoff.
“We’ve been talking to him,” Astros owner Jim Crane said Wednesday.
The news comes a day after manager Dusty Baker signed a one-year contract extension to continue with the Astros. The Astros also declined to pick up the options for Trey Mancini and Will Smith.