Astros three-time Cy Young winner slowed by injury to start spring training

Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters that he believes Verlander's issue is "just some shoulder inflammation" and he thinks "he's gonna be fine."

Manager Joe Espada added that based on the conversations he's had with the righty, he's not concerned about the situation.

Verlander said Wednesday morning that he experienced a "hiccup" this offseason and his shoulder "didn't feel so great" earlier in the winter. The three-time AL Cy Young award winner added that it's "too far down the road" to predict if he could miss Opening Day.

This is the second straight year where Verlander injury news has come up before the season even began.

While with the New York Mets last spring, the nine-time All-Star was placed on the 15-day injured list in late March due to a right teres major strain. Verlander's campaign was delayed until early May and he was eventually traded back to Houston on Aug. 1.

The 40-year-old ended up going 13-8 last season between Houston and New York, registering a 3.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 144 strikeouts over 162 1/3 innings pitched covering 27 starts.