Justin Verlander has yet to make his debut for the New York Mets, but he's inching closer to the mound.

Verlander suffered a teres major muscle strain just hours before Opening Day.

He threw a successful simulated game on Sunday, and now he's likely in line for a minor-league rehab start on Friday. That likely means Verlander should make his 2023 debut during the Mets' road series against the Detroit Tigers that begins on May 2, according to a report.

The Mets signed Verlander this past offseason to a two-year, $86.67 million contract.