Morning Briefing: Verlander Makes Progress in Injury Recovery

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Mets received some good news regarding Justin Verlander, one of the many pitchers who are currently on the team’s injured list. According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, Verlander, who is injured with a teres major strain, continued to throw off flat ground at Citi Field, but not off a mound. Buck Showalter said he’s “not planning on” having Verlander back during the Mets’ west coast trip, which runs through April 23.

Verlander will go to Port St. Lucie when the Mets go to California this week, Showalter said. The tentative plan includes a minor league rehab start and Verlander probably not returning to the majors until the Mets return home, according to Tim Healey of Newsday.

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David Peterson (0-1, 6.00 ERA) took the hill against Ryan Weathers (0-0, 3.60 ERA) in the second game of the series against the Padres, where the Mets fell, 4-2. The Mets took an 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a Mark Canha sacrifice fly that brought home Francisco Lindor. Manny Machado woke up the Padres’ offense and hit a two-run double to put them ahead, 2-1. Late in the top of the ninth inning, Xander Bogaerts launched a 415-foot two-run shot to put the Padres in the lead for good, 4-1. Tommy Pham had some late game heroics when his RBI single brought the Mets closer, 4-2, but Francisco Álvarez struck out with runners on second and third to end the game.

Tommy Hunter threw 40 pitches in live batting practice, according to Joe Pantorno of amNewYork. Hunter said he felt “really good,” and the hope is that he’ll be ready to go by the time he’s eligible to get off the IL on April 19.

Right-handed pitcher Seth Elledge has been claimed from the Atlanta Braves and optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, according to the Mets. Left-handed pitcher José Quintana has been transferred to the 60-day IL.

On Tuesday, Mets owner and president of Amazin’ Mets, Alex Cohen, will attend a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil newly-named Child Center of New York’s Woodside Clinic to “The Cohen Family Wellness Center.” The wellness center will provide therapeutic services for local youth.

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For the first time in franchise history, the Miami Marlins had a player hit for the cycle. Luis Arraez, whom the Marlins traded for from the Minnesota Twins, went 4-for-5 at the plate in a 8-4 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Gabriel Burns and Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said the Atlanta Braves officially reinstated Kyle Wright from his rehab assignment Tuesday morning. Wright was schedule to start against the Cincinnati Reds that evening in his season debut. The team optioned lefty Dylan Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett to open a roster spot.

Speaking of the Braves, Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN said Ian Anderson will undergo Tommy John surgery. After a difficult 2022 season, Anderson started the year at Triple-A and struggled in his first start before being diagnosed with a torn UCL. Anderson is expected to return in 2024.