HOUSTON -- Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, who began the season on the injured list while he builds up his pitch count for the season, could be headed out on a Minor League rehab assignment soon. Verlander threw three innings and 52 pitches in a simulated game on Monday afternoon at Minute Maid Park, ahead of the series opener against the Blue Jays.

“He looked good,” manager Joe Espada said. “He threw around 50-something pitches and I think if he comes back tomorrow feeling well, he should be ready to go out on a rehab assignment. I think he will need more than one [rehab game].”

The Astros announced on March 5 that Verlander wouldn’t be ready for the start of the regular season and would begin the season on the IL. A shoulder issue put him behind prior to the start of camp and he’s been on a slow build-up since, though his shoulder issues are behind him.

Verlander said he wanted to make sure to simulate three innings, which meant sitting in the dugout after an inning to face hitters Grae Kessinger and Jon Singleton. He even used the pitch timer to simulate game conditions as much as possible.

“This whole process for me, the hardest part of it has been getting to a certain threshold of velocity, and now that I’m at that threshold, where I can max speed, the hardest part has been being able to get there in a short period of time,” Verlander said. “When I got to throwing a bullpen at full intent, it took me a while to get there. It’s like warming an engine up. Every step of the way I had to be cautious and make sure I didn’t overdo it. Now that I feel I can get there, I’m much safer throwing as hard as I can.”

Triple-A Sugar Land is home this weekend to face Las Vegas, so Verlander wouldn’t have to go far if he starts a rehab assignment later this week.

Verlander, who was traded back to the Astros from the Mets in August, also experienced a delayed start last year, as he was placed on the injured list with a right arm injury on the eve of the regular season. He debuted on May 4 and made 16 starts for New York before the Astros acquired him prior to the Trade Deadline.

Verlander went 7-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 11 regular-season starts (68 innings) in his return to Houston. He also made three postseason starts before the club was eliminated by the Rangers in the ALCS.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner is entering the second season of a two-year deal he signed with the Mets last winter. The contract contains a $35 million vesting option for 2025 that is triggered if Verlander throws 140 innings this season. The Mets will pay half of the option if it vests.