Astros' Justin Verlander to Open 2024 MLB Season on IL with Shoulder Injury

Even though Houston Astros star Justin Verlander is making progress in his recovery from a shoulder injury, the three-time AL Cy Young winner won't be ready for the start of the regular season.

Astros manager Joe Espada announced on Tuesday that Verlander will begin the season on the injured list because he won't have enough time to build up his arm for a full workload before Opening Day.

This will mark the second consecutive season that Verlander starts on the injured list. He missed the first five weeks of the 2023 campaign due to a low-grade teres major strain.

When Verlander arrived at spring training on Feb. 14, he told reporters his throwing program was two weeks behind schedule because of a shoulder issue.

"I'm a little bit behind schedule now," Verlander said. "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."

There was some hope on Monday that Verlander would be ready for the start of the regular season. He threw a 60-pitch bullpen session without any issues.

"He walked off the mound feeling really good about his side," Espada said. "We'll see how he bounces back tomorrow and see where we go from there."

Even though Verlander won't be able to take the mound on Opening Day, the fact he was able to get through an entire throwing session without issue is a good sign that he may not miss much time.

Framber Valdez will likely get the start on Opening Day when the Astros host the New York Yankees on March 28.

Verlander returned to the Astros in August after a midseason trade with the New York Mets. The 41-year-old had a 3.31 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 68 innings over 11 starts after the deal.