Justin Verlander allowed six runs and struck out six in his first rehab start for the Houston Astros' Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

Verlander, 41, threw 46 of 65 pitches for strikes against Oakland's Las Vegas Aviators. 

He began this season on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right shoulder.

"I did accomplish my No. 1 goal, which was to throw 65 pitches and feel healthy," Verlander said. "In an ideal world, you go out there and the timing is right, and everything is where you want it to be, but it's not super realistic. My timing was a little off, so my pitches were a little erratic. Time on the mound is the only thing that can help resolve that."