Justin Verlander. Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Mets' Justin Verlander provides timeline for return from injury

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 4/7/23

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander gave fans a positive update on his injury Friday, hours before the team's home opener.

Justin Verlander (right teres major strain) expressed significant confidence that he can return before the end of April. He believes he can progress even faster than that. Much will depend upon how quickly the "teensy" bit of inflammation still there subsides.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 7, 2023

Justin Verlander (right teres major strain) said it is “very reasonable” to expect him to be back by the end of the month. He’ll lobby against going on a rehab assignment.

He’s been throwing at about 75% intensity, he said, and “I really turned a corner a couple of days ago.”
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) April 7, 2023

“I think [an April debut] is very reasonable,” Verlander continued, via Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. “I haven’t put a time frame on it, but definitely suspect that. Worst-case is being stupid and reinjuring it, but I think that [time frame] would be a very slow build from here.

“It wasn’t a significant injury to begin with, but it’s nice to see that it’s more than trending in the right direction. The consensus was, ‘You are almost there, so match that up with the symptoms that you are feeling.’ Very mild, but I still feel a teeny bit of something.

Hours ahead of their season-opener last week, the Mets announced that the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner would be placed on the injured list. Verlander said at the time that he didn't believe it was a serious ailment.

New York signed "JV" to a two-year, $86.7 million deal in December, just days after seeing franchise icon Jacob deGrom join the Texas Rangers.

Verlander joined an already extensive list of Mets on the IL in March and since last week, the group has gotten even bigger. Star closer Edwin Diaz is likely out for the season after his World Baseball Classic (WBC) injury and 2021 All-Star catcher Omar Narvaez went on the IL on Thursday due to a calf issue.

Once Verlander returns, he'll form one of, if not the best duo atop all MLB starting rotations with fellow three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

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