the New York Mets Right hand position Justin Verlander Thursday, the team announced a list of people with a low-grade muscle strain near his swing shoulder.

Verlander has a rotator cuff injury (a muscle that connects the shoulder blade to the upper arm) and will continue to pitch at “moderate intensity” with a re-evaluation scheduled for next week.

The injury came to light after Wednesday’s bullpen session after Verlander’s speed dropped in his final start of spring training. The team did not hint at any injury until the announcement on Thursday.

“It’s not the best case scenario,” Verlander told the media in Miami. “But I think this is probably the second best case. Very minimal.”

American League Cy Young Award winner was scheduled to compete Saturday against Miami Marlinswhich would have been his regular season debut for the Mets after signing a two-year, $86.66 million deal this offseason.

New York faced a lot of injuries before opening with Edwin Diaz He is out for the season after injuring his knee while celebrating in the World Baseball Classic and the team is currently without superstar Jose Quintana and reliever Sam Conrod.

Verlander, 40, expressed confidence that the injury was minor, adding that he would have an injury like this during the postseason. Right previously missed the entire 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery before compiling one of the best seasons of his career in 2022, finishing 18-4 and posting a 1.75 ERA in 175 innings pitched. Houston Astros On his way to his third Cy Young Award.

The Mets signed Verlander after losing the Aces Jacob DeGrum In free agency to Texas Rangers.