Justin Verlander sharp in Double-A rehab start: When will he return to Mets’ rotation?
Sixty-nine pitches and all they entailed, coupled with no grumbles physically in the immediate aftermath suggested rip-roaring success for Justin Verlander’s rehab start Friday afternoon in Binghamton.
The three-time Cy Young Award recipient, who in December signed a two-year, $86.6 million contract with the New York Mets, pitched 4⅔ scoreless innings of two-hit, six-strikeout ball in a 6-1 win for the Mets’ Double-A affiliate over the Akron Rubber Ducks.
Attendance at Mirabito Stadium was, according to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, 2,663 for a game that Thursday afternoon was switched to a 1 p.m. start from 6:05 because of weather concerns, according to the ballclub.
Rumble Ponies rehab assignment a success
“I feel pretty good, first and foremost getting through it healthy,” said 40-year-old Verlander, reigning Cy Young Award winner and World Series champion. “I could have tightened up my pitch shapes a little bit, but I don’t want to be too picky, it’s the first game action in over a month. So, to be healthy is the biggest, most important factor and I checked that box.
“ … Just working on stuff. I thought the curveball was pretty good, I thought the fastball was OK, the location wasn’t great but the shape was alright. Would have liked to have thrown a little harder but first game back after a month in fairly cold weather so trying not to be too nitpicky. I think the slider kind of came and went, that’s the pitch I kind of need to tighten up a little bit.”
Verlander has yet to make his New York Mets regular-season debut after incurring a major teres strain late in spring training. And so, the obvious question: When might that first start come? “Feel good, no issues physically. Should be ready to go whenever they say ‘You’re ready to pitch,’” he said.
When will Justin Verlander return to NY Mets rotation?
As for when that determination might come? “I’m assuming a lot of it will have to do with how I bounce back (Saturday and Sunday). I don’t know how the rotation is lined up right now. I do not know what’s going to go into that.”
A second rehab start is not in the plans as far as Verlander knew postgame. Buck Showalter echoed that sentiment prior to the Mets' game against the Braves, but added that the team needs to wait and see how Verlander feels on Saturday and add in discussions with trainer Joe Dolia and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
"That’s still the plan," Showalter said. "In all things, we feel like talking to Justin and Jeremy and Joe and see what the best plan is for long term. I’m not going to count anything out yet."The New York Mets begin a three-game series at Detroit May 2, then come home for games May 5-6-7 against the Rockies. With normal rest and no setbacks, Verlander would be able to return to face the Tigers on May 3.
Friday against the Cleveland Guardians’ AA affiliate, Verlander faced six batters through two innings with aid of a 6-4-3 double play to end the second. He permitted a second and final hit in the third, and a two-strikeout fourth concluded with his pitch count at 56. While many believed that to be it, he returned for the fifth and departed after a walk-strikeout-strikeout sequence.
“It was the first inning I stepped on the gas a little bit, tried to get my arm and body going,” he said of the fifth.
For subscribers: Rumble Ponies owner 'learned a lot' in 2022: Why he'll keep bartending on the party deck
2022 rehab: New York Mets ace Max Scherzer checks all boxes in Binghamton rehab start
Also shared by Justin Verlander after Rumble Ponies rehab start
➤ “Pre-game routine was normal. Got here a little later than I would on a typical game day, just came up from New York this morning. Came in and introduced myself to all the guys.”
➤ Degree of eagerness to return to the big club?
“Very, very eager. Very excited to finally have a chance to pitch for the Mets. Obviously − I’ve said it a few times − but not the way I’d envisioned starting my career here. But unfortunately these things happen and I’m doing everything I can to get back and be successful.
“ … Here we are. One rehab start hopefully is enough and I can dial it in at the big-league level.”
➤ Did the weather bother the nine-time all-star and 244-game winner? Must have brought back memories of Detroit.
“It did remind me quite a bit of Detroit. It didn’t bother me, no. I guess I’ve gotten a little accustomed to pitching indoors down south the last 4-5 years, which was nice. But this weather is something became accustomed to quite a bit. So, felt right at home.”
Mets writer Andrew Tredinnick of NorthJersey.com contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Justin Verlander sharp in Rumble Ponies rehab start, eyes Mets return
