Astros' Justin Verlander (shoulder) is behind schedule

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander said Wednesday that he's a couple of weeks behind schedule due to an ailing shoulder.

"When I first started playing catch, I usually shut it down for a while and this time when I shut it down and picked a ball back up, my shoulder didn't feel so great, so I kind of had to take a step back," he said, per MLB.com.

Verlander, who turns 41 next week, is in spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla., preparing for his 19th season in the major leagues. He said his timetable has not been determined.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion finished 13-8 with a 3.22 ERA while splitting the 2023 season with the New York Mets and Astros.

Verlander heads into the 2024 season as the active MLB leader in wins (257). The nine-time All-Star has a 3.24 ERA and 3,342 strikeouts in 509 career starts with the Detroit Tigers, Mets and Astros.

Houston's spring training opener is Feb. 24 against the Washington Nationals. Opening Day is March 28 against the visiting New York Yankees.