Cole (159 points, 13 first-place votes). It was also the first time he received the award while playing for the Houston Astros. 2020–2021: Elbow surgery and recovery On March 17, 2020, Verlander underwent surgery on his right groin that required six weeks to recover. At around the same time, the season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Verlander made his 12th career opening day start on July 24, 2020, earning the win after striking out seven and giving up two runs through six innings. This was the Astros' eighth straight win on Opening Day, having won every Opening Day game since their move to the AL West in 2013. On July 26, 2020, it was reported that Verlander would be shut down with a forearm strain. On September 19, Verlander confirmed via his Instagram account that he would undergo Tommy John surgery and would miss the remainder of the 2020 season plus all of the 2021 season, which kept him sidelined through the end of his contract extension with the Astros. Verlander underwent the procedure on September 30, 2020. On February 27, 2021, the Astros placed Verlander on the 60-day injured list as he continued to recover from Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2021 season. On December 13, 2021, Verlander signed a one-year contract with the Astros, containing an option for a second season. 2022: Comeback and third Cy Young Having not recorded a statistic in 2021, Verlander made his way back on April 9, 2022, against the Los Angeles Angels, for the first time since Opening Day 2020. Verlander struck out seven and allowed one run over five innings in a 2–0 loss. On April 16, Verlander threw eight scoreless innings against the Seattle Mariners in a 4–0 victory, striking out eight batters. He pitched his 3,000th career inning in the seventh, becoming the 138th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to do so (only he and Zack Greinke have pitched 3,000 innings among active players). On May 10 against the Minnesota Twins, Verlander took a no-hitter through seven innings until Gio Urshela ended the chance in the eighth inning. Verlander finished the game with eight innings pitched and five strikeouts, allowing the one hit for a game score of 83 and lowering his ERA to 1.55 on the season. On June 1, Verlander took a no-hitter into the seventh inning versus the Oakland Athletics until