The Houston Astros scratched right-hander Justin Verlander from Saturday’s start against the Detroit Tigers due to neck discomfort.

Verlander (3-2, 3.95 ERA) has been dealing with lingering discomfort for the past couple of weeks, according to Houston manager Joe Espada. The Astros aren’t expected to place Verlander on the injured list and are hopeful that skipping this turn in the rotation will enable Verlander to recover from his ailment.

The former American League MVP, nine-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner opened the season on the IL while recovering from an offseason shoulder injury.

Verlander, 41, allowed four earned runs in each of his previous two starts while surrendering a combined 14 hits and two walks with just seven strikeouts over 10 innings. Those performances followed Verlander allowing two or fewer runs in six of his first eight starts this season.

Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (3-5, 5.33 ERA), who was scheduled to pitch the series finale on Sunday, will start in place of Verlander.

Arrighetti, 24, has yet to face the Tigers in his career. He allowed one run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Monday.

–Field Level Media