Justin Verlander’s Opening Day status is suddenly called into question.
The Astros’ ace is behind schedule due to a “little hiccup” with his right shoulder, he informed reporters on Wednesday.
When questioned about any concerns for Opening Day, when the Astros host the rival Yankees for a four-game series, he answered, “It’s too far down the road to say.”
“I’m a little bit behind schedule right now,” Verlander admitted. “I had a minor hitch early on that corrected itself, but I need to be very cautious about how I build up.
“I guess my body doesn’t respond the same at 40 as it did at 25, so I’m a couple of weeks behind.”
Verlander admitted that his shoulder “didn’t feel so great” when he attempted to toss after shutting down following the season.
This is a natural rest period for pitchers.
Any delay, however, reduces his prospects of finishing his improvement during the roughly six weeks of spring training.
The Astros begin their season with a four-game series against the Yankees on March 28, and Verlander, if healthy, appears to be the favorite to start the opener.
“I am a touch behind schedule right now. I have to be quite cautious about how I am building up. “I’m a couple weeks behind,” Justin Verlander responds to a question about a six-man rotation.
Mentions a shoulder problem, but “it’s resolved itself.” @KHOU pic.twitter.com/EqcEqsKM4W.
— Jason Bristol (@jbristolKHOU) Feb. 14, 2024
Last year, he started Houston’s first postseason game after being traded from the Mets in midseason.
Verlander, who turns 41 on February 20, said his Opening Day availability would be determined by how his preparation goes during camp.
“I’ve always been somebody who luckily could pick up a ball and start throwing it, and this time wasn’t quite so easy,” Verlander told reporters. “Had to slow down a little.
“I’ve always preferred to give myself as much relaxation as possible, so my schedule is usually a little restrictive. I believe the rest is necessary, but with the tight deadline, having to slow things down a little bit has put me behind.”
Verlander missed the beginning of the season with the Mets due to a strained back muscle, and he did not make his Mets debut until May 4.
Astros general manager Dana Brown downplayed any concerns.
The Mets have reason to be concerned about Verlander’s health because he has a $35 million vesting option for 2025 if he pitches 140 innings this season, and the Mets would be responsible for half of that money.
“Just mild shoulder soreness; I think he’ll be OK. Brown informed reporters, “He’s still playing catch.” “I think he’ll be alright. I am not concerned at all.”
Verlander and the Astros are looking to return to the World Series after falling at home in Game 7 of the ALCS to the in-state rival Rangers
The righty went 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA after being acquired before the deadline, helping Houston win the AL West on the final day of the regular season.
Houston made a major splash this offseason, signing reliever Josh Hader and just extending veteran second baseman Jose Altuve for five years and $125 million.
The Astros are +700 at FanDuel to win the World Series, which is the third-highest odds of any club and the best among American League teams.
Their +380 odds of winning the AL pennant are slightly ahead of the Yankees’ +400 odds.
