Verlander (shoulder) threw 43 pitches over three innings during a simulated game Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Verlander resumed throwing bullpen sessions in mid-April and has moved to a five-day schedule as he closes in on a return from the injured list. Following Sunday's simulated game, he expects to pitch in a minor-league rehab start Friday as his next appearance. If all goes well in the rehab assignment, he could return from the 15-day injured list to make his Mets debut as soon as May 3 in Detroit.