(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The New York Mets received some bad news on Thursday just before Opening Day when it was announced that newly signed ace Justin Verlander would begin the season on the injured list as a result of a teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder.
This is just the latest casualty for the Mets’ starting rotation.
Jose Quintana is also out with a rib injury.
Verlander joined the Mets after Jacob deGrom‘s departure on a two-year, $86 million deal.
On Friday, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi appeared on MLB Central and discussed the implications of Verlander’s injury and what the next steps are for the Mets, who now have two of their newly signed starters on the injured list.
A few key injuries to All-Star pitchers to monitor @jonmorosi joins #MLBCentral to discuss the latest on Justin Verlander and Max Fried. pic.twitter.com/g7MxpALg10
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 31, 2023
Morosi stated that there is no clear timetable for Verlander’s return.
The strain in his shoulder is considered to be low grade.
However, the Mets are still not sure whether it will take a couple of weeks or require a longer period of absence.
Morosi said that the Mets are currently planning to shut him down for a week and see what happens, and that GM Billy Eppler sees this as a “week-to-week” situation.
Morosi also took note of the 40-year-old’s diminished velocity in spring training.
Either way, this is not good news for the Mets, who were banking a lot on Verlander this season, especially with deGrom now in a Texas Rangers uniform.
New York will also be without All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, who injured his knee during the World Baseball Classic and will miss the entire 2023 season.
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