Mets Opening Day was immediately soured by news that Justin Verlander would start the season on the IL with a low grade teres major strain.
Per the team, Verlander would continue to throw “at moderate intensity,” and will undergo another scan in a week. Billy Eppler told reporters that Tylor Megill would pitch in place of Verlander to start the season.
Verlander, the team’s big free agent signing after Jacob deGrom left for Texas, was scheduled to pitch the Mets home opener, with Max Scherzer getting the start on Opening Day. instead, he joins Jose Quintana on the IL.
The teres major is a small muscle that runs along the shoulder blade. The 40-year-old Verlander bounced back nicely after missing the 2021 season with Tommy John surgery, making 29 starts last season and winning the American League Cy Young award after leading the league with a 1.75 ERA.
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