Justin Verlander's status for Opening Day is in question after the team shut him down with a "mild lat strain," general manager James Click announced Monday.
"I would say it would probably take a miracle for me to be back by Opening Day," Verlander said. "But I don't want to take miracles off the table."
The Astros ace was removed after two innings and 29 pitches in Sunday's 3–1 loss to the Mets. He was expected to pitch four frames in his second spring training start. Manager Dusty Baker said Verlander told pitching coach Brent Storm that he felt soreness in his right arm when he came off the mound in the second inning on Sunday.