We have yet to see Justin Verlander pitching in a New York Mets uniform this season, but there has been an update issued by the team.
The Mets announced the three-time Cy Young Award winner underwent follow-up imaging on his right shoulder which revealed reduced inflammation.
Justin Verlander underwent follow-up imaging today that showed reduced inflammation. He will continue throwing. Additional updates will be provided as appropriate.
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 5, 2023
The plan is to have Verlander continue throwing.
This is good news and it doesn’t appear he’s dealing with any setbacks.
Shortly before Opening Day, it was announced Verlander suffered a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his throwing shoulder. He was then placed on the 15-day injured list, but the team hadn’t shut him down from his throwing program.
There still isn’t a set timeline for his return.
Verlander put up a solid spring, despite his indifferent feelings about tightening up his slider. A pitch he felt was a little sloppy as the Grapefruit League was winding down. It was an important pitch in his pitching repertoire that broke from the opposite way of his changeup and fastball.
The 40-year-old signed a two-year, $86,666,666 contract with the New York Mets in December. He was reunited with former Detroit Tigers teammate Max Scherzer which, according to Sarah Langs, made them the third duo of three-plus Cy Young winners to pitch for the same team.
Justin Verlander & Max Scherzer would be the 3rd duo of 3+ Cy Young winners to pitch for the same team in the same year, joining:
2021 Dodgers: Max Scherzer & Clayton Kershaw
1986 White Sox: Steve Carlton & Tom Seaverbut Carlton & Seaver were never on the roster at same time.
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) December 5, 2022
Across his 17-year career, Verlander boasts a 3.24 ERA with 3,198 strikeouts in 3163 innings and a 1.117 WHIP.
