Justin Verlander is getting close.
The San Francisco Giants' 42-year old right-hander has been on the shelf since May 19 with pectoral muscle soreness.
On Wednesday, he threw a 65-pitch simulated game.
"Pleasantly surprised," Verlander told the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser.
Verlander told reporters that he thinks he could rejoin the San Francisco rotation next week.
This is Verlander's first season with the Giants.
Before his injury, he had made 10 starts and put up a 4.33 ERA. Verlander has 41 strikeouts in 52.0 innings.
MORE: Pope Leo XIV confirms his MLB fandom with a hat
It's actually a bit of an improvement on a nightmare 2024 with the Astros when Verlander had a 5.48 ERA.
He's a future Hall of Famer, but these are certainly his final days.
The Giants could still use Verlander on the mound. He's intimidating just by his presence, and he still can eat innings and get outs.
Sounds like they'll get him back pretty soon here, and they'll be hoping he can stay healthy the rest of the way.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- Corbin Carroll matches 70-year MLB record of Willie Mays
- Jose Ramirez is even more important to the Guardians than you think
- Ron Washington reveals amusing retirement plans
- Rangers robbed by brutal missed balk call
- Shohei Ohtani's pitching return has one huge unanswered question
- Nationals call up a 4-legged prospect for his MLB debut