Justin Verlander will begin the 2024 season on the Astros' injured list as he continues to build strength, first-year manager Joe Espada said Tuesday.
One of the top spring training storylines was Verlander, 41, saying he was two weeks behind schedule because of a shoulder issue. It is not considered serious, but he has yet to face hitters and has been limited to bullpen sessions as Opening Day approaches in less than three weeks.
It is unclear how many starts Verlander could miss. The key is how he's managed, and no one understands this better than Verlander.
"I'm just trying to trust my body and not rush anything because of a date on the calendar being Opening Day, and just trying to do things the right way," Verlander said, via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "I thought we were really close to being able to make it happen, but it was really on the fast end of things pace-wise to build up. I think once we kind of all sat down, the calendar dictated 'All right, we need to make a decision.'"
Verlander last threw a 60-pitch bullpen session Sunday and is tentatively scheduled for another session Friday. McTaggart reports Verlander would like at least one more bullpen before facing hitters.
