Justin Verlander of the New York Mets looks on prior to a game against the Miami Marlins on Opening Day at loanDepot park on March 30, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Despite having acquired Kodei Senga to complement Max Scherzer, the Mets will have to wait a few weeks to see their rotation at full strength, as newly-acquired Justin Verlander remains out of the lineup with a low-grade muscle strain in his throwing arm.
The Mets signed Verlander in December to a two-year, $86.6 million contract, after owner Steven Cohen and the Mets front office spent lavishly to improve their roster.
The New York Mets started the regular season 3-1, concluding a four-game series in Miami with a 5-1 win over the Marlins Sunday. The Mets can likely make a run at the National League East division title if their pitching consistently stop the top offense of the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies during the regular season.
A two-time World Series champion, last year with the Houston Astros Verlander pitched in 28 games, posting an 18-4 record with a 1.75 ERA, pitching 175 innings and striking out 185 batters. In the postseason last year, Verlander went 2-0 in four starts with a 5.85 ERA through 20 innings, allowing 23 hits, walking eight batters, and striking out 25.
Verlander told the media that he had discomfort on the throwing side of his body after his final spring training start last week on Sunday. The Mets called up Tylor Megill from Triple-A Syracuse, and he made his season debut on Saturday against the Miami Marlins, going five innings and allowing six hits, two earned runs, walking two batters, and striking out seven.
The Mets will play the Milwaukee Brewers for three games on the road from Monday to Wednesday before returning to Citi Field for a three-game series opening up with the Marlins on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. EDT.