Mets manager supplies update on ace Justin Verlander

The recovery of New York Mets co-ace Justin Verlander continues to be a slow and steady process heading into the second half of April. 

According to SNY and Joe Pantorno of AM New York Metro, Mets manager Buck Showalter told reporters ahead of Tuesday's home game against the San Diego Padres that Verlander likely won't join the club for its upcoming West Coast trip. 

The three-time Cy Young Award winner continues to work to return to action from a low-grade teres major strain (strained shoulder) that's kept him sidelined since Opening Day. 

Showalter added he has "nothing negative" to report and that the nine-time All-Star will continue his rehab in Florida as the Mets take on the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants on the road. From there, the plan would be for Verlander to make at least one minor-league start. 

However, Showalter did say that the timeline "could change" depending on how Verlander's shoulder responds to an increased workload. 

"He seems to be in a really good frame of mind," the skipper said about Verlander. 

Verlander confidently declared last week that it was "very reasonable" to expect he could make his official Mets debut before the end of April. The Mets are scheduled to play six home contests between April 25 and April 30 following their upcoming 10-game trip. 

Showalter has also been without starter Jose Quintana (stress fracture in his rib) all season and has watched as veterans Max Scherzer and Carlos Carrasco have seemingly struggled to adapt to the new pitch clock. A National League scout told Jon Heyman of the New York Post last week that the increased pace of play caused by the clock is impacting older pitchers "greatly," in part because "between-inning breaks are shorter." 

Verlander turned 40 years old in February. 

Without Verlander and Quintana, the Mets began the season at 6-5 heading into Tuesday night.