New York Mets co-ace Justin Verlander sounds optimistic Friday will be the only appearance with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies he needs before he pitches in an MLB game.
“I feel pretty good,” Verlander said after he completed 4.2 scoreless innings against the Akron RubberDucks on Friday afternoon, as shared by Robert Sanchez of SNY. “I think first and foremost getting through it healthy. I think I could’ve tightened up my pitch shapes a little bit, but I don’t want to be too picky. It’s my first game action in over a month, so to be healthy is the biggest and most important factor, and I checked that box.”
Per Henry Palattella of the MLB website, Verlander tossed 52 strikes across 69 pitches and notched six strikeouts while surrendering just two hits and one walk. Most importantly, the 40-year-old seemingly avoided the type of setback that could prevent him from pitching for the big-league Mets next week.
It’s hoped Verlander can make his regular-season Mets debut at the Detroit Tigers this coming Wednesday.
“I’m assuming a lot of it is gonna depend on how I bounce back tomorrow and the following day,” Verlander said about when plans for his activation off the injured list could be released. He added that “one rehab start is hopefully enough” as it pertains to completing his recovery from the low-grade teres major strain (strained shoulder) that landed him on the IL back on Opening Day.
Neither Verlander nor Jose Quintana (stress fracture in his rib) has pitched a meaningful inning for the Mets this year, and Carlos Carrasco is on the IL with inflammation in his throwing elbow that, according to RotoWire, could keep him out through “the early part of May.” Meanwhile, co-ace Max Scherzer had served seven contests of his 10-game suspension as of Friday afternoon and was on track to return to the bump Monday against the Atlanta Braves.
The second-place Mets (15-11) begin a four-game home series against the first-place Braves (17-9) on Friday night.
