The Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander won’t start his spring training on expected schedule. According to Verlander, he is dealing with a shoulder issue that will force him to start his preparation for the 2024 campaign later than expected.
“I’m a little bit behind schedule right now,” Verlander told ESPN. “I had a little hiccup early on that’s resolved itself, but I have to be really cautious with how I’m building up.
According to Verlander, he experienced a shoulder issue while playing catch.
“I’ve always been someone who luckily could pick up a ball and just start throwing it,” he explained. “This time, it wasn’t quite as easy, so I had to slow down a little bit.”
It is unclear whether Verlander will be ready in time to pitch on the Opening Day. The Astros will open their spring training on February 28 and play their first game of the season against the New York Yankees on March 28.
Justin Verlander missed the start of the 2023 season with a shoulder injury. He played in 27 games with the Astros and the Yankees, finishing the campaign with a 13-8 record, 3.22 ERA, and 144 strikeouts. He previously sat out the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
