Astros' Justin Verlander to make season debut Friday vs. Nats

(Photo credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander will make his season debut on Friday against the host Washington Nationals, manager Joe Espada said Wednesday.

Verlander, 41, opened the season on the injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder. The three-time Cy Young Award winner declared himself ready to go after rehabilitations starts for Triple-A Sugar Land and Doub