New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander toes the rubber on the road against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, perhaps spelling fear into fantasy managers due to the ballpark factor. The 40-year-old has only two starts at Coors Field over his illustrious career, but he's dominated to the tune of a 1.20 ERA in 15 career innings including a complete game in 2011. It's the highly-decorated veteran's lowest ERA at any particular venue he's had multiple appearances at. Verlander, a set-and-forget fantasy play regardless of matchup, makes for an enticing DFS play for the late slate while some players are scared off by the hitter-friendly environment. The three-time Cy Young award winner fired eight strong innings for his second win of the campaign last Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander made easy work of the Cleveland Guardians during Sunday's contest. The 40-year-old gave up a solo home run to Jose Ramirez in the first inning. After that, Verlander settled in and shut down the Guardians for the rest of the game. He went eight innings, three hits allowed, one earned run, and five strikeouts in the 2-1 victory. Verlander currently holds a 3.60 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 20/5 K/BB ratio through four starts this season. His next start will be against the Rockies in Colorado on Sunday.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander had a poor home season debut in Tuesday's 8-5 loss to the Mets. Verlander pitched five innings, allowing six runs on eight hits (including two home runs) and two walks with just three strikeouts. The 40-year-old has now made three starts since returning from the injured list with a low-grade teres major strain in his throwing shoulder. He is 1-2 with a 4.76 ERA and 7.94 K/9 rate. Despite his age and injury history, fantasy managers still likely had confidence in him being one of fantasy's top starters. This has obviously not been the case, though it has been a small sample size. Verlander will look to turn things around in a favorable upcoming matchup against the Guardians.

The New York Mets activated starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) from the injured list on Thursday, and he will be making his 2023 debut against his old team, the Detroit Tigers. In corresponding moves, the Mets signed right-hander Dominic Leone and activated him, optioned right-hander John Curtiss and left-hander Zach Muckenhirn to the minors, returned pitching prospect Jose Butto to the minors and moved catcher Omar Narvaez (calf) to the 60-day injured list. Verlander is just now making his Mets debut after missing five weeks due to a low-grade teres major strain in his throwing shoulder. When healthy, Verlander hasn't showed many signs of slowing down, but he could be on a bit of a leash on Thursday in his first start in 2023.

Due to some weather concerns this week in Detroit, New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer is likely to be moved back to start on Wednesday, with right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) making his Mets debut on Thursday. Left-hander Joey Lucchesi will likely get the nod on Tuesday. Verlander will be activated from the 15-day injured list this week and will be on five days of rest after striking out six over 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his lone minor-league outing for Double-A Binghamton on Friday. The 40-year-old three-time Cy Young winner is returning from a low-grade teres major strain in his right shoulder, but he shouldn't face any restrictions in his debut for the Mets this week.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his minor-league rehab start with Double-A Binghamton on Friday, giving up two hits while walking one and striking out six. He is scheduled to come off the injured list to make his debut for the Mets early next week against his former team, the Detroit Tigers. The 40-year-old right-hander threw 69 pitches in the outing and looked good. He might not be fully stretched out the way fantasy managers would like in his season debut next week, but he'll be getting a nice matchup and is worth throwing out there in starting fantasy lineups. The three-time Cy Young winner has yet to be slowed down by Father Time and once again has ace potential if he can stay healthy the rest of the way.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start on Friday for Double-A Binghamton, providing the weather cooperates. Verlander said earlier this week that he expects to come off the 15-day injured list to make his Mets debut after making just one rehab start. The 40-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP could make his season debut next week against his old team, the Detroit Tigers, but he's also unlikely to be fully stretched out after recovering from a low-grade teres major strain in spring training. Verlander gave us no reasons to doubt his fantasy ace potential in 2022, so his managers will have high expectations in his first year in New York.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw 43 pitches over three innings during a simulated game on Sunday. It sounds like the 40-year-old is doing well in his recovery process. The next step is for Verlander to make a rehab start on Friday. After that, Verlander is expected to be cleared to return to the big league rotation, assuming he doesn't suffer a setback. Verlander has been sidelined since March due to a lingering shoulder issue.

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is on track to throw a live batting practice session on Sunday. The 40-year-old veteran has had two bullpen sessions over the last week so a live batting practice session is the next step in his rehab. If all goes well he should have another BP session or two before heading off for a minor league rehab assignment. Verlander has been out since late March with a low-grade teres major strain in his throwing shoulder but hasn't suffered any setbacks so far. If all goes well, he should join the Mets' starting rotation by mid-May.

The 2023 MLB season is underway and as always, injuries are beginning to pile up. Today we'll look at injured hitters including Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, Corbin Burnes, Robbie Ray, and Trevor May. Searching the waiver wire for fill-in pitchers is already a key aspect of fantasy baseball, so finding replacements for players out of action isn't too much different.For those not yet familiar, this is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of April 20, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. Some players on this list impact fantasy baseball more than others, but with leagues of all shapes and sizes, you never know which guys will force fantasy managers to search waiver wires in hopes of finding adequate replacements.To keep close tabs on all of the news across the MLB, make sure to favorite or bookmark the ... [More]

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is moving to a five-day schedule and is likely to throw a live batting practice session on Sunday. The plan also includes him making a minor-league rehab start next Friday. It's good news, especially after Carlos Carrasco (elbow) landed on the injured list on Tuesday. The American League Cy Young winner last year is nearing his first start for the Mets in the regular season, but he still has a few more hurdles to clear first. Barring a setback, he should be back for the Mets and fantasy managers in early May. Despite being 40 years old, Verlander has ace potential in fantasy when he's healthy, so he should be stashed in all formats. Joey Lucchesi is likely to fill Carrasco's rotation spot in the short term.

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.