What happened to Justin Verlander? Latest news has Mets faithful worried

After a historic offseason, the New York Mets have endured a difficult spring with both Justin Verlander and Edwin Diaz opening the season on the IL. As one of the biggest free-agent signings this offseason, Verlander and Max Scherzer were set to become the most feared pitching tandem in the National League. However, that will need to wait, as the injury bug for the Mets continues.

The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner will open the season on the IL after suffering a low-grade teres major strain. After defying age last season, the 40-year-old has already suffered an injury this year. While the injury is not reportedly serious, the move may simply be precautionary based on his age and injury history.

"'It feels like crap,' Justin Verlander said of missing opening day. 'Not the way I wanted my Mets tenure to start, that's for sure,'" MLB.com Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo tweeted.

The team announced that Justin Verlander will continue to throw at “moderate intensity” and be re-evaluated in a week. The injury occurred during a bullpen session, with Verlander saying that the felt “a teeny bit of something" following the outing.

“In my mind, it was, let’s be prudent here, let’s be smart and get it looked at,” he said. “So, that’s what I did.”

"'This isn't best-case scenario,' Verlander said. 'But I would think this is probably second-base case. Very minimal,'" SNY tweeted.

What is a teres major strain that has Justin Verlander on the shelf?

Teres Major injuries result in pain and difficulty with activities that require sideways or backward movement with the arm. Isolated tears of the teres major are quite uncommon but may occur in baseball or cricket players, especially pitchers and bowlers.

While not an overly serious injury, at Verlander's age, every injury needs to be treated seriously by the New York Mets. Treatment includes rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications. Stretching and strengthening exercises help to reduce the load through the tendon. Cortisone injections can be used for refractory pain.

"Justin Verlander says if this was a playoff scenario, he'd be pitching: 'Being the beginning of the season, it makes too much sense to not push it right now.'" SNY tweeted.

A look at Verlander's 2022 season

Last year with the Houston Astros, Verlander delivered one of the most spectacular seasons of his career, finishing the 2022 season with an 18-4 record and an ERA of 1.75. He also racked up 185 strikeouts, helping him secure his third career Cy Young Award.