HOUSTON, TX - The Major League Baseball Players Association today announced the Astros RHP Justin Verlander earned two 2022 Players Choice Awards as he was named both the American League Outstanding Pitcher and the American League Comeback Player of the Year. The Player’s Choice Awards are voted on by current Major League players.

At 39 years old and coming off Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss virtually two seasons, Verlander managed to put together one of the most dominant seasons of his long, stellar career. In his 28 starts in the regular season, he posted an 18-4 record with an MLB-best 1.75 ERA. In addition to wins and ERA, Verlander led the American League in WHIP (0.83), opponents batting average (.186), adjusted ERA+ (220), opponents OPS (.497) and opponents slugging percentage (.297).

His 1.75 ERA was the lowest of his career, is a new Astros franchise record, and is the lowest of any MLB pitcher since RHP Pedro Martinez posted a 1.74 ERA for Boston in 2000. Verlander’s ERA is also the third-lowest in the AL since divisional play began in 1969.

A STOPPER: Verlander was the ultimate ‘stopper’ for the Astros this season. In his 12 starts following an Astros loss, he went 9-0 with a 1.11 ERA (9ER/73IP).