Julio Cortez/Associated Press
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander has begun throwing and is "doing great" in his rehab following March 17 groin surgery, per manager Dusty Baker.
"He was having a little trouble on and off, and it kind of messes with your head in spring training when you feel great one day and the next day you don't and the next day you feel back," Baker said, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
"So this has actually probably been a blessing in disguise for him."
As the AP noted, the delay to the start of the MLB season because of the COVID-19 pandemic makes it more likely that Verlander will return prior to Opening Day.