Potential date of Justin Verlander's Mets debut revealed

New York Mets fans may not have to wait much longer for the regular-season debut of co-ace Justin Verlander.

Per Joon Lee of ESPN and Danny Abriano of SNY, Verlander will complete a scheduled rehab start on Friday at a to-be-determined location as he works to return to 100% from the low-grade teres major strain (strained shoulder) that's kept him out of action since Opening Day. Assuming the 40-year-old avoids a setback, he could make his first meaningful start in a Mets uniform on May 3 at the Detroit Tigers. 

Verlander featured for the Tigers for over a decade earlier in his Hall of Fame career. 

"It definitely is frustrating," Verlander admitted about not being able to contribute to the Mets. "It's hard for me to not be a part of and not want to help in some way, shape or form. But everybody behind the scenes is saying, 'Just wait, your time will be here.'"

While Verlander previously hoped he'd be able to log at least one MLB start before the end of April, Mets manager Buck Showalter later suggested the club would be cautious regarding the veteran's health.

New York signed the three-time Cy Young Award winner in December via a two-year, $86.7M contract that includes a vesting third-year option reportedly worth $35M. 

The Mets' rotation is currently missing Verlander, Jose Quintana (stress fracture in his rib), Carlos Carrasco (inflammation in his throwing elbow) and co-ace Max Scherzer (suspension). Scherzer did not appeal the 10-game ban he received last week for violating the league’s rules on foreign substances in part so he could be eligible to return next Monday (May 1) against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. 

New York began Tuesday evening at 14-9 and in second place in the National League East standings behind only the first-place Braves (15-8).