Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander is facing a minor setback in his preparation for the upcoming season. The 40-year-old pitcher revealed that he is 'a little bit behind schedule' due to offseason shoulder inflammation, which could potentially hinder his ability to be ready for opening day.
Verlander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, described the injury as 'a little hiccup' but emphasized the need to be cautious in his recovery process. Speaking on the first official day for pitchers and catchers at Astros camp, Verlander acknowledged that his body doesn't respond the same way it did when he was younger. He stated, 'I'm a couple of weeks behind. I guess my body doesn't respond at 40 as it does at 25... Let's see how things go. If it ends up a little late, it's a little late. If it's on time, it's on time. I'm not trying to rush.'
Despite Verlander's admission, general manager Dana Brown expressed confidence in the veteran pitcher's status. Brown informed reporters that Verlander had plans to play catch that day and assured them, 'I think he’s going to be fine. I’m not concerned at all.' However, Brown did concede that if Verlander were to be completely shut down, it would be a cause for greater concern.
For Verlander, this spring training represents a return to West Palm Beach after spending the previous one with the New York Mets. He signed a lucrative $86.7 million, two-year deal with the Mets ahead of the 2023 season but was ultimately traded back to Houston on August 2. Verlander played a crucial role in helping the Astros secure their sixth AL West crown in seven seasons before they were defeated by the Texas Rangers in the AL Championship Series.
The right-hander claimed the 2022 AL Cy Young Award with Houston after missing the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery. Reflecting on his usual offseason routine, Verlander mentioned that he typically shuts down for a while before picking up a baseball again. However, this time he experienced discomfort in his shoulder upon resuming throwing, leading him to take a step back in his preparation. Verlander admitted, 'I’ve always been somebody who luckily could just pick up a ball and start throwing it. It wasn’t quite as easy, so I’ve had to slow down a bit.'
As for when Verlander will make his pitching debut this season, he refused to provide an exact timetable. The Astros' spring training opener is scheduled for February 24th against the Washington Nationals, but Verlander emphasized the importance of taking things day by day and week by week. He explained that his current approach involves a more thoughtful and deliberate build-up process without fixating on a specific date.
Despite turning 41 soon, Verlander has not contemplated retirement yet. He drew inspiration from former teammate Kenny Rogers, who continued pitching in the majors until he was 43. Verlander discussed his conversations with Rogers, saying, 'One of the things he told me is you'll just know. The game will tell you or you tell yourself. You'll lose the fire. You're not competitive. Neither one has happened yet, thank goodness. I'll keep playing as long as I can.'
While Verlander's offseason shoulder inflammation presents a minor setback, it remains to be seen when he will be able to take the mound for the Astros. However, the veteran pitcher's determination and commitment to his craft suggest that he will do everything possible to return to top form and contribute to his team's success in the upcoming season.
