Justin Verlander’s Opening Day status remains questionable after admitting to media members that he’s behind schedule on his Spring Training schedule because of a shoulder issue.
While he did not specify the condition he’s dealing with, he did undergo Tommy John surgery in 2021 during his first stint with the Houston Astros. The 19-year veteran also missed some weeks at the start of 2023 due to a strain on his pitching shoulder.
Verlander described to the media:
”When I first started playing catch I usually shut it down for a while and this time when I shut it down and picked a ball back up, my shoulder didn’t feel so great so I kind of had to take a step back.”
The three-time Cy Young Award winner had a respectable season for the New York Mets and the Astros, who traded for him last August. He had a 13-8 record with a 3.22 earned run average and 1.133 WHIP. He struck out 144 batters in 162.1 innings.
Astros starter Justin Verlander is a "couple of weeks" behind on his throwing, per @brianmctaggart.#MLBNHotStove | @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/AdWhsn9RoC
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 14, 2024
However, he will be turning 41 in a week, and his body isn’t healing at the same rate it used to. Hence, his recovery period is lengthier, causing delays in his preparation for the 2024 Major League Baseball season.
Meanwhile, the issue doesn’t seem to be major. That’s why Astros general manager Dana Brown isn’t concerned about the veteran pitcher’s availability when their season begins.
Aside from being a multi-time Cy Young winner, Justin Verlander is a two-time World Series Champion with the Astros. He was also the 2011 American League Most Valuable Player and the 2017 AL Championship Series MVP.
The nine-time MLB All-Star also garnered two All-MLB First Team distinctions.
-Lance Fernandez