The New York Mets made another strong pursuit in the off-season to try and secure their first World Series Championship since 1986. The team’s splashiest signing, however, is off to a terrible start, unfortunately.
Justin Verlander, the team’s prized acquisition this winter, won’t begin the season on the mound. Instead, he’s been assigned to the IL. The Mets announced that the multi-time Cy Young Award winner sustained a low-grade teres major strain.
“Justin Verlander will be placed on the IL with a low grade teres major strain. He will continue throwing at moderate intensity and we will rescan in a week. We will provide an update at that time,” the Mets announced on Twitter.
Justin Verlander will be placed on the IL with a low grade teres major strain. He will continue throwing at moderate intensity and we will rescan in a week. We will provide an update at that time.
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 30, 2023
This is an incredibly auspicious and, yet, familiar feeling for the Mets and their fans. Injuries and the team have gone together over the years. It didn’t take long at all for that to surface again for the 2023 season either. The injury bug bit their biggest signing of the off-season. The Mets signed Verlander for a 2-year deal worth $86.6 million.
In his career, Verlander has won two World Series championships, three AL Cy Young Awards, and is a nine-time MLB All-Star selection. This is set to be his first season pitching in the National League.
The MLB world reacted to the terrible Mets news.
Is there anything more Opening Day Mets than this? https://t.co/Dt0zqI0Jj0
— Eli Hershkovich (@EliHershkovich) March 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/TJ_Cavanagh/status/1641497158812672000
No way Verlander just hit the IR
— 💯 (@TheMSeries1) March 30, 2023
— Justin (@justinv922) March 30, 2023
And deGrom won't miss a start, of course. Like, we can all see that, right? https://t.co/azMrcgPEs9
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) March 30, 2023
Every day I wake up I hate myself for being a Mets fan. https://t.co/yQ90xu6P13
— Casual Hoya (@CasualHoya) March 30, 2023
This is a prog rock album https://t.co/yfzA4Lu0ea pic.twitter.com/MxBxS7w60a
— Grant Brisbee (@GrantBrisbee) March 30, 2023
It is day one. https://t.co/hTZg0GIA5V pic.twitter.com/ByUpaRof46
— PJ Clark (@TheRealPJClark) March 30, 2023
The Mets set a new record for my optimism about a new season to be replaced with dread: minus-2 hours before first pitch of the season. https://t.co/vf90dgl1BP
— Philip Bump (@pbump) March 30, 2023