Hinch may split Verlander, Cole in rotation

July 5th, 2019

HOUSTON -- Manager AJ Hinch is looking at breaking up Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole in the rotation after the All-Star break, though he wouldn’t get into specifics on Friday.

“Nothing that I can announce yet, maybe towards the end of the weekend,” Hinch said. “The one thing I’ll tell you is likely, depending on the All-Star Game, is I’m looking at splitting Cole and Verlander with [Wade] Miley in some capacity.

“What order that is is going to be determined. It’s going to be different. It’s not going to be full forward as we expected. There’s a couple of decisions that we have to make. I have the order in pencil.”

Both Verander and Cole are right-handers, and Miley is left-handed. Verlander got the start on Friday against the Angels, with Cole scheduled to start on Saturday.

Right-hander Brad Peacock, who was placed on the injured list on June 28 with discomfort in his right shoulder, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session this weekend. There’s no structural damage in the shoulder, and Hinch said Peacock may throw a couple of innings in a Minor League rehab game; if healthy, he could be set at the back end of the rotation coming out of the break.