Mets right-hander Justin Verlander is on the injured list due to a low-grade strain of the teres major muscle in his shoulder and provided an update on his condition today, with Laura Albanese of Newsday among those to relay his comments (Twitter links). Verlander says that he turned a corner in recent days and that returning to the club in April is a “very reasonable” expectation.
That’s a welcome development for the Mets for multiple reasons. Verlander is one of the best pitchers in the game and any rotation would be better with him in it. He posted a 1.75 ERA with the Astros last year with a 27.8% strikeout rate, 4.4% walk rate and 37.9% ground ball rate. That was despite being 39 years old, in addition to missing all of 2021 and most of 2020 due to Tommy John surgery. He was awarded the American League Cy Young for that stellar performance.
The Mets also began the season without José Quintana, who will be out until at least July due to rib surgery. Those two injuries bumped David Peterson and Tylor Megill into a rotation that has wobbled a bit lately. Peterson was solid in his first start against the Marlins but then allowed five earned runs in four innings against the Brewers. The Brew Crew also scored five earned runs on each of Max Scherzer and Carlos Carrasco this week, eventually sweeping the three-game series and leaving the Mets’ record at 3-4 coming into today.
The Mets have also been dealing with injuries elsewhere on the roster, with multiple relievers on the IL and catcher Omar Narváez joining them earlier today. It’s been a frustrating beginning to the season after an aggressive winter where they spent wildly in free agency. That included a two-year, $86.6MM deal for Verlander, which was part of the tally that launched the club past the highest tier of the Competitive Balance Tax.
The injuries have hobbled the club a bit here in the early going but it sounds like Verlander could be back within a few weeks. He says that he’s been throwing during his IL stint, meaning that he’ll have a bit of a headstart in ramping back up and will lobby against requiring a rehab assignment, per Tim Healey of Newsday. Once he’s able to return, he would likely push either Megill or Peterson back to a depth role in the minors.
Personally, I would keep him out until May, there is absolutely no need to rush him back.
As a Braves fan, I agree. Keep him out until June
As a Yankee fan, let him play catch with Montas and Rodøn. They’ll all re-injure themselves and be out until July.
Keep him out until 70 degrees!
Until after the AS break – that’s three extra days of rest!
Why not wait till the trade deadline? Aug 1st.
I say make his wife pitch wearing a bikini. She would win every game she starts.
Only if Vogelfat also wears a bikini. Or at least Speedo briefs.
Two starters who are in their 40’s and have a history of being on DL. They will make or break the Mets season.
Not much of a difference, but Scherzer is ‘only’ 38, ie, not in his 40s.
rct – Even if Scherzer was 40, he has virtually no injury history.
Anybody who thinks missing 10 starts combined over a 15-year career makes him “injury prone” is out of touch with reality. Haven’t we already seen enough articles about starting pitcher injuries this season? Missing games due to injury is the norm.
Young pup.
theo – Verlander is the ONLY player on the entire 40-man roster who is in his 40’s, so try again.
Turn 40 and your wife finds a new “workout” partner.
Reasonable, sure, but is not reality?
Pitty they just tossed Marcus MVP Stroman aside. I’m sure his 0.00 ERA wouldn’t have helped or anything.
No one cares about ERAs or wins.
They don’t?
Maybe not wins, but I’m pretty sure all teams care about era
Lack of wins can be attributed to poor offensive output while on the mound, but lack of wins if your era is 5, means the pitcher isn’t necessarily keeping the team in the game either, and I’m pretty sure people care about that
Wrong.
43.3M. If he misses a month, do they pay him one month less salary? Of course not. That’s why I always say the owners take on all the risk. They miss a season. No problem. Miss 3 seasons in a 4-year deal? Again, no problem, as long as the player has a good walk year. Pitchers especially, should not have guaranteed contracts.
Who is taking the risk during a player’s first six years of playing time?
Answer YBC’s question. Now.
A $7.2 million trip to the IL.
Houston, looks like the problem has been solved. Mets are ready to blast off.
Ron Howard Narrator Voice: “It wasn’t reasonable”
April 30th is still technically April…
I rmbr last yr “nxt month” DeGroom was gonna be ready … n then the “nxt month,” we’ve seen how Metropolitans front office will lull ya w/empty hope while dragging out injury timeline. Pitchers break down especially a power P in his 40s. Ol man time never loses.
The way Tylor Megill pitches, the Mets don’t need Verlander back any time soon.
Megill has been good but Carrasco & Scherzer haven’t been so they absolutely need Verlander.
heartwarming to know that Verlander will be back in time to participate in this year’s Mets old-timers ceremony.