MLB News: Latest Buzz on Justin Verlander, Blake Snell Injuries

The current labor war between MLB and Major League Baseball Players Association wages on, but two of the games' best starting pitchers are making progress as they recover from injury.

Houston Astros star Justin Verlander underwent surgery on his right groin back in mid-March, but he appears fully healthy and raring to go. 

The 37-year-old took to Instagram on Monday, showcasing a glimpse at what appeared to be a self-organized bullpen session of sorts.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Blake Snell has also been ramping up his activity after dealing with discomfort in his throwing elbow at the end of February.

Josh Tolentino of The Athletic noted he threw a bullpen session of his own last Friday, his first time on the mound since March.

It goes without saying both the Astros and Rays will be glad to have their aces back on the hill, in the event a return-to-play plan is finalized.

Verlander was already one of the best pitchers of his generation when he arrived in Houston, but he has since proved—beyond a shadow of a doubt—he belongs in Cooperstown when all is said and done. He has been dominant for the Astros, posting a 2.45 ERA in 471 innings of work in two-plus seasons with the club.

The Old Dominion product captured the American League Cy Young Award last season after going 21-6 with a 2.58 and 0.803 WHIP, the second-lowest mark since the live-ball era began in 1920, per Baseball Reference. He capped off the year by reaching the 300-strikeout mark for the first time in his illustrious career.

Of course, the story was a bit different in the postseason. Verlander dominated in a Game 1 victory over the Rays, but he would go 0-4 in his next five playoff starts, including an 0-2 mark in the World Series.

October struggles aside, however, he still seems to be aging like fine wine. Snell, on the other hand, had more of a hiccup in 2019.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

The Seattle, Washington native was the AL Cy Young winner in 2018, going 21-5 while pacing all AL starters with a 1.89 ERA and 217 ERA+. But injuries limited him to just 23 starts last season, and inconsistencies throughout the year resulted in a 4.29 ERA. 

The 27-year-old was also plagued by road woes. He posted a 2.89 ERA in 11 home starts but went 2-5 with a 5.82 ERA away from Tropicana Field.

Snell would return to face the Astros in the ALDS, though he was still working his way back from injury and was handed the loss in Game 2 despite giving up just one run.

But the 2019 campaign is in the past, and both the Astros and the Rays entered this summer with championship aspirations. If the Washington Nationals' World Series run proved anything, it's that quality starting pitching goes a long way toward winning a ring.

Verlander and Snell are at very different points in their careers, but both stars are hoping for an opportunity to help their clubs in pursuit of a World Series.

All stats obtained via Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted.