Detroit Tigers fans hoping to see Justin Verlander back on the mound at Comerica Park this week will have to wait a little longer.
The future Hall of Famer will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Toledo before returning from the injured list, according to manager A.J. Hinch and multiple reports Sunday.
Verlander, who has been sidelined since April 1 with left hip inflammation, was initially viewed as a possibility to return during Detroit’s upcoming series against the Minnesota Twins. Instead, the Tigers have decided the veteran right-hander needs additional work to build his pitch count before rejoining the major league rotation.
His next rehab appearance is scheduled for Wednesday at Fifth Third Field in Toledo.
A Strong First Step
Verlander’s first rehab outing could hardly have gone much better.
Pitching for the Mud Hens earlier this week, the 43-year-old tossed five scoreless innings while allowing four hits and striking out three batters. He needed only 64 pitches to complete the outing.
Ironically, Verlander joked his efficiency may have contributed to the Tigers’ decision to keep him in Toledo for one more start.
“Obviously, I would like to pitch, but I was too efficient, I guess, throwing 60-something pitches,” Verlander said. “That sucks. I threw too well. They want some more volume. I think that’s fair.”
The organization wants Verlander to reach the sixth inning and throw between 70 and 80 pitches before activating him.
Hinch explained the decision is about more than simply getting outs.
“Two things have to be,” Hinch said. “The first part is you have to be ready physically for the demands in the big leagues that are different than they are in Triple-A. The second part is the rotation has to be ready for this onslaught of new starters that are coming back, and we will be.”
Building Toward a Return
Verlander has not pitched in a major league game since March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The injury landed him on the 60-day injured list and delayed what many hoped would be another memorable chapter in his Tigers career.
After spending the majority of the past decade with the Houston Astros, along with a stint with the New York Mets during the 2023 season, Verlander returned to Detroit with hopes of helping a young Tigers team contend in the American League.
His upcoming rehab start represents the final hurdle before that becomes reality.
If all goes according to plan, Verlander could rejoin Detroit’s rotation as soon as June 15 or June 16 when the Tigers travel to Houston to face the Astros.
