Justin Verlander, the Mets co-ace, is feeling encouraged about his progress in spring training, even though he’s uncertain about where he should be.
During his first session in camp, in which hitters swung, Verlander expressed concern about not having normal spring training since 2019 due to various reasons.
Verlander underwent Tommy John surgery following the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, which caused his ensuing spring training to be scrapped.
In 2021, spring training was condensed throughout MLB following the lockout.
Verlander has been asking his agent and old pitching coaches about his progress in previous spring training.
Despite his uncertainty, Verlander expects to pitch in his first Grapefruit League on Friday or Saturday. In camp, Verlander has been working on refining his changeup, but more than anything, he’s been working on developing relationships in the clubhouse.
The three-time Cy Young award winner, who arrived in the offseason on a two-year contract worth $86.7 million, compared the experience to changing schools.
Verlander stated that this is his first time coming to a new team in spring training, and it feels like everyone is just getting back together, with a slightly different routine.
He further compared it to being in a new high school, where everybody has their own groups, and he is trying to get to know everyone.
Verlander is still trying to get accustomed to his new Mets teammates.
He expressed that he has taken a vested interest in trying to get to know his teammates in recent years, communicate better, and help as much as he can.
However, he acknowledges that spring training is difficult, and there is not a lot of B.S. time during the season.
Verlander intends to refine his changeup to give him another pitch to go with his four-seam fastball, slider, and curveball. Last season, Verlander threw 63 changeups, according to Statcast.
However, he intends to work on getting his other pitches sharp first before incorporating the changeup.
»Justin Verlander feels encouraged about his progress in spring training«
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