Photo by Harris Weis

New York Mets co-ace Justin Verlander returned to the mound on Friday in a rehab start for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. The Mets affiliate moved the game up to a 1:00 p.m. start to make sure they got the game in before the rain.

Verlander flashed through the first inning retiring the top of the Akron RubberDucks on only eight pitches (six strikes). He needed only three minutes to retire the side in order, all on flyouts. He worked around a leadoff single to face the minimum in the second inning with one strikeout. In the third inning, Verlander allowed a single in a scoreless inning with his second strikeout of the day.

The fourth inning was the strongest for Verlander with two strikeouts (both swinging) in another scoreless frame. Verlander surprised some fans by coming back out for the fifth inning. He walked the first batter before striking out the next two to end his rehab start.

Verlander’s final line: 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K, 69 pitches/52 strikes

Verlander’s fastball was up to 95 mph in the outing. He also mixed in his changeup, curve, and slider in the outing. He got multiple strikeouts with the curveball.

 

The three-time Cy Young winner was placed on the injured list on Opening Day due to a right teres major strain. Verlander began feeling discomfort near his right lat during his final start of spring training.

Since suffering that setback, Verlander has been working his way back and he threw 43 pitches in a simulated game on Sunday.

Verlander is in line for his Mets debut on May 3 against the Tigers in Detroit. Mets manager Buck Showalter has already made it clear that Verlander won’t require a second rehab start, but he may be on a low pitch limit in his first outing of the year.

Verlander’s looming return couldn’t come at a better time for the Mets. The starting rotation has been ravaged by injury, while fellow ace Max Scherzer was suspended 10 games for having an illegal substance on his hand during a game. With the pitching struggling, coupled with the fact that Showalter has failed to get length out of any of his current starters, Verlander’s season debut will be a welcome one.

There is no doubt that seeing Verlander on a big league mound would serve as a major boost for the Mets too. After all, the front office signed the nine-time All-Star to a big-ticket two-year, $86.6 million contract during the offseason in order to boost their chances of winning a World Series. His return should help to steady the ship when it comes to a starting rotation that has suffered blow after blow after blow in the opening weeks of the 2023 season.