Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander, who turns 41 next week, said on Wednesday that he is behind schedule this spring because of a shoulder issue, with his status for Opening Day currently unclear.

MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart was among the reporters to whom Verlander himself revealed the news during a press conference, with the future Hall of Famer saying: “I’m a little bit behind schedule now. I had a little hiccup early on that’s resolved itself, but I have to be really cautious at how I’m building up. I guess my body doesn’t respond the same at 40 as it did at 25. I’m a couple of weeks behind.”

Verlander, acquired from the Mets leading up to last year’s trade deadline, is coming off a 2023 season for the Mets and Astros in which he pitched to a 3.22 ERA and a 3.20 K/BB ratio in 162 1/3 innings. Verlander’s first start of 2023 was delayed by more than a month because of an upper back/shoulder issue.

The three-time Cy Young winner is under contract for 2024 at a salary of $43.3 million, $25 million of which will be paid by the Mets. Verlander’s deal also includes a $35 million option for 2025 that vests automatically if he reaches 140 innings pitched this season. The Mets will also pay a substantial portion of that 2025 contract should the option vest.

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