New York Mets right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Verlander strained his shoulder before the beginning of the season and is slowly working his way back to the mound. If Verlander continues to progress well, he will likely be sent out on a rehab assignment in the near future. Both the Mets and fantasy gamers will be happy to get Verlander back, hopefully by the beginning of May.

According to New York Mets manager Buck Showalter, starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a few more bullpen sessions before facing live batters. If everything goes smoothly, the 40-year-old will be ready to return. Verlander has been on the shelf with a right teres major strain since the beginning of the season. However, he appears to be moving along just fine, so fantasy managers should remain optimistic.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) said he's increased his throwing intensity to 75 percent and that he's "really close to being able to take off the leash." Verlander expects to be back well before the end of April after an MRI exam showed reduced inflammation in his right shoulder. The 40-year-old three-time Cy Young winner suffered a low-grade teres major strain in his shoulder in spring training and was forced to open the 2023 season on the injured list in his first year in Queens. However, he's making good progress and could make his Mets debut before the calendar flips to May. Despite his age, Verlander continues to be one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball when healthy, but fantasy managers may want to play it safe upon his return.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander's (shoulder) follow-up MRI exam on Wednesday showed reduced inflammation. He will continue throwing, and additional updates will be provided as they become available. The 40-year-old right-hander has continued to throw after being diagnosed with a low-grade teres major muscle strain that landed him on the injured list to open his first year with the Mets. It's good news that his inflammation has gone down, but we still don't have a timetable for when he might be able to make his debut with the team. The three-time Cy Young winner continues to defy Father Time when healthy, and he needs to remain stashed in all fantasy leagues.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (teres strain) did "some light throwing" on Friday at loanDepot Park, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The three-time Cy Young winner landed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday, retroactive to March 27, because of a right teres major strain. He's due to be re-evaluated in about a week, so the Metropolitans are certainly hoping for an encouraging update. However, the team will also take a cautious approach with Verlander, who signed with New York over the Winter. In the meantime, Tylor Megill is expected to enter the starting rotation. The 27-year-old went 4-2 last season (nine starts), ending with a miserable 5.13 ERA, 51 strikeouts, and 13 walks.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) did some light throwing on Friday, as expected. Verlander opened the 2023 regular season on the 15-day injured list with a right teres major strain. With the blessing of team doctors, he intends to continue playing catch as he recovers, which will allow him to avoid a longer build-up once he's able to get back on a mound. The 40-year-old right-hander's injury obviously isn't a serious one, and we should have a better idea of when he might make his debut for the Mets once he has tests on his arm next week. With Verlander on the shelf, Tylor Megill has entered the starting rotation and will be worth looking at as a deep-mixed and AL-only streamer.

New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander has been placed on the injured list with what is being described as a low-grade teres major strain. The issue won't shut him down from throwing at moderate intensity but he will not be rescanned for a week. Signed to a mammoth two-year deal this winter, the 40-year-old posted a 3.00 ERA in five spring outings, striking out 22 with 10 walks across 21 innings of work. The right-hander took home his third career AL Cy Young Award in 2022 and his second in three seasons. Verlander worked to a 1.75 ERA and a 23.4% K-BB% across 28 starts in 2022, going 18-4 in his return from Tommy John surgery.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander made his spring debut with his new team on Saturday. The 40-year-old put together a strong showing, including three innings of work with only one-run allowed. It appears the veteran pitcher has not lost a step at all. He is coming off a fantastic season where he posted a league-leading 1.75 ERA in 28 starts with the Houston Astros. It seems impossible for Verlander to continue pitching at this excellent rate, but it doesn't appear to be showing signs of slowing down.

New York Mets right-hander Justin Verlander will make his debut with the Mets in the Grapefruit League on Saturday against the Miami Marlins. Verlander comes to New York in 2023 to help make up for Jacob deGrom leaving for the Texas Rangers in free agency. He and Max Scherzer will team up at the top of New York's starting rotation to give the team once again one of the best one-two punches in baseball. Despite being 40 years of age, Verlander was his usual dominant self for the Houston Astros in 2022, going 18-4 with a league-leading 1.75 ERA (2.49 FIP), league-leading 0.83 WHIP and 185 strikeouts in 175 innings over 28 starts to win the American League Cy Young for the third time in his illustrious career. There is injury risk, but Verlander remains a fantasy ace.

The New York Mets signed right-hander Justin Verlander on Monday to a two-year, $86 million deal. The deal includes a vesting option for a third year at $35 million. Verlander will make $43.3 million per year and will also have a full no-trade clause in his move to the National League. His 2025 option vests as a player option if he pitches 140 innings in 2024. The Mets lost Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers in free agency and replace him with the 2022 American League Cy Young winner. Verlander will turn 40 in February, but even after missing all of 2021 after having Tommy John surgery, he seemed to be better than ever and finished 2022 by going 18-4 with a league-best 1.75 ERA (2.49 FIP), a league-best 0.83 WHIP, 185 strikeouts and 29 walks in 175 innings over 28 starts for the Houston Astros. Despite his age, he'll be a highly coveted fantasy ace in 2023.

The New York Mets and New York Yankees are among the teams talking to the top two remaining free-agent starting pitchers. At the moment, the Mets seem more intrigued by right-hander Justin Verlander, while the Yankees seem more focused on Carlos Rodon. The Baltimore Orioles are among the many teams in on Rodon. The Houston Astros and Verlander are far apart in talks, which has opened the door for other teams to swoop in on Verlander, the 2022 American League Cy Young winner. The Mets might be the favorites to land one of Verlander or Rodon now that Jacob deGrom signed a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers. Verlander will require a shorter-term contract than Rodon given his age.

The New York Mets have moved their attention to free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander after right-hander Jacob deGrom signed a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday. The Mets never got to make a final offer to deGrom before he chose the Rangers. Verlander is reportedly seeking a three-year deal, which the Houston Astros don't want to do, which has opened the door for other teams to jump in. The Mets will likely have to pay close to the $37 million per year that deGrom got for the Rangers to land Verlander, but a deal for Verlander won't be nearly as long as deGrom's. With deGrom leaving for the American League, the Mets are looking for another top arm to pair with Max Scherzer at the top of their starting rotation for the 2023 season.

The New York Yankees are in on free-agent starting pitchers Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon. They aren't as much in on right-hander Jacob deGrom for what he sees ($40 million-plus). Outfielder Aaron Judge remains the main target for the Bombers, but the Yankees also want to add a big starter this offseason as well. Verlander is reportedly seeking a three-year deal for around $130 million in free agency, and the Houston Astros don't want to give him three years, so it could open up the door for the Yankees or another team to swoop in. Adding an arm like Verlander or Rodon to pair with ace Gerrit Cole would immediately upgrade New York's starting rotation in 2023.

The Houston Astros and free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander are "far apart" in talks, according to sources. Verlander is seeking $130 million for three years after winning the 2022 American League Cy Young, and the Astros seem pessimistic on Verlander, which may open the door for teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and New York Yankees. "Quietly, they prefer not to sign him for three years. Verlander was great in-season but they carried him in the postseason," one person familiar with the Astros' thinking said. "No one [in Houston] wants to go three [years]," another source adds. The Mets are "tempted" by a Verlander-Max Scherzer reunion from their days with the Detroit Tigers.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly meeting with free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander on Monday, according to a tweet from The New York Post's Jon Heyman. Heyman tweeted the following on Monday morning: "Word is Dodgers are meeting with Justin Verlander today. Would fit their preference for big talents on short-term deals (with of course very high AAV). Both NY teams interested and of course incumbent Astros." Verlander is coming off another strong season on the mound, pitching to a 1.75 ERA, a 2.49 FIP, 185 strikeouts and 29 walks in 175 innings of work. He also logged 18 wins in 28 starts to win the American League Cy Young.

The New York Mets met with free agent starting pitcher and American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander on a Zoom call last week, per the Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Per Rosenthal's report, the Mets would consider Verlander if they cannot re-sign departed free agent Jacob deGrom. The 39-year-old compiled an 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 27.8% strikeout rate through 28 starts and 175 innings pitched in 2022. Verlander will have a competitive market, but his age combined with his request for a multi-year deal will impact his suitor list.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander won his third career American League Cy Young award in 2022 at 39 years old after having Tommy John surgery. He won the award unanimously after missing all of last year. Verlander becomes the first-ever pitcher to win the award after throwing zero innings the previous season. He's also one of 11 pitchers in MLB history to have won the Cy Young three times. On top of that, Verlander was the fifth-oldest hurler to win the award. He had an AL-best 18 wins and a major-league leading 1.75 ERA, WHIP (0.83), opponents' OPS (.497) and opponent's batting average (.186). The 39-year-old is stiff-arming Father Time and will cash in on the free-agent market this winter after just winning a World Series title.

SNY's Andy Martino reported Tuesday that the New York Mets are "considering whether to pursue" veteran free-agent starting pitcher Justin Verlander. The Mets had several members of their starting rotation enter the free-agent market this offseason, so they will need to fill some gaps if they hope to make it to the playoffs once again. While he will be 40 years old entering the 2023 season, Verlander had a stellar 2022 campaign, going 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and a 27.8% strikeout rate over 28 starts and 175 innings pitched. It would likely take a high-value, short-term deal to sign Verlander, wherever he ends up landing.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander has opted out of his contract and has become a free agent. Verlander could have stayed in Houston for $25 million in 2023, but he should be able to get much more on a multi-year deal on the open market. The 39-year-old right-hander missed all of 2021 after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned in 2022 and was fantastic, going 18-4 with a league-best 1.75 ERA (2.49 FIP), a league-best 0.83 WHIP, 185 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 175 innings over 28 starts. Verlander is the overwhelming favorite to win the American League Cy Young for the third time in his career and the second time in the last four seasons. He'll be 40 years old when the 2023 season begins, but Verlander hasn't shown signs of slowing down and should be drafted as a fantasy ace, regardless of where he lands.

The New York Yankees were toying with the idea of adding Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander to their rotation last winter, offering him $25 million. They could choose to make another run at him this winter if he opts out of his current deal with the Astros and becomes a free agent. However, the Yankees were discouraged about their chances of ever signing him when he chose to go back to Houston at the same dollar amount that the Yankees offered. Verlander made the right call, having another fantastic season while winning another World Series title with the Astros. The 39-year-old ageless right-hander got the win in Game 5 over the Philadelphia Phillies. He wasn't all that great in the postseason, but he led the league in wins (18), ERA (1.75) and WHIP (0.83) while adding 185 strikeouts over 28 starts.