Mets' Justin Verlander prepares for rehab assignment after 'really good day'

The New York Mets felt even better about the status of co-ace Justin Verlander on Wednesday than they did on Tuesday. 

According to SNY and Joon Lee of ESPN, Mets manager Buck Showalter told reporters ahead of the Wednesday afternoon home game versus the San Diego Padres that Verlander had a "really good day" as he threw off flat ground on Tuesday amid his recovery from the strained shoulder that landed him on the injured list ahead of Opening Day. 

Showalter said that Verlander will travel to the Mets' facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida, to throw a side session and complete at least one rehab assignment while New York ventures on a 10-game road trip that begins on Friday and includes stops at the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. 

Verlander said last week he wanted to avoid a rehab assignment, and Showalter told reporters Tuesday the three-time Cy Young Award winner "seems to be in a really good frame of mind" regarding the process. While Showalter made it known Wednesday the Mets' medical staff is "very encouraged" with where Verlander is, the skipper added the club is remaining cautious as it pertains to the 40-year-old who agreed to a two-year, $86.7M deal that includes a vesting third-year option reportedly worth $35M this past offseason. 

"He's champing at the bit, but we want to make sure we resolve everything in there before we turn it loose," Showalter continued about Verlander. The hope is that the right-hander can make his official Mets debut at Citi Field between April 25 and April 30.

The Mets began Wednesday afternoon at 6-6 and dealing with potential early-season pitching concerns. Fellow co-ace Max Scherzer is 2-1 but completed just 16.1 innings of work across his first three starts, and veteran Carlos Carrasco also struggled to adapt to the new pitch clock in his first two starts of the campaign. 

Starter Jose Quintana (stress fracture in his rib) isn't expected to be available for the Mets through at least the beginning of July.