Tigers scratch Justin Verlander from return start after veteran pitcher suffers left hamstring strain
Justin Verlander won’t start on Sunday, after all. The veteran had been scheduled to make his first appearance for the Detroit Tigers since March 30. It would have doubled as his first start for the Tigers at Comerica Park in close to nine years.
Because of a new injury, though, the nine-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion right-handed pitcher will be out for a while longer.
“This is not a matter of days,” Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said, according to MLB.com. “It’s a matter of weeks.”
Verlander, who was working his way back from a left hip issue that landed him on the injured list one start into his reunion with the Tigers, is now nursing a left hamstring strain that he suffered during a bullpen session in Houston.
The Tigers were just there for a three-game series against the Astros, with whom Verlander won both of his rings, and now they’re back home preparing for a three-game set versus the Chicago White Sox.
Verlander was penciled in to start the series finale against the AL Central-leading White Sox. His Tigers have been bit by the injury bug in 2026 and are in last place in the division with a record of 30-44.
Now 43 years old, Verlander is in his 21st MLB season. In February, he agreed to a one-year deal worth $13 million to come back to the Tigers. Verlander spent his first 12-plus seasons in the majors with the club.
During the 2011 campaign, he famously won the AL’s pitching Triple Crown, leading the league in wins (24), strikeouts (250) and ERA (2.40). That season, he earned the first of his three AL Cy Young Awards and his lone AL MVP accolade.
Verlander helped the Tigers reach the World Series in both 2006 and 2012.
His return to the franchise hasn’t gone according to play this year. Verlander was roughed up in his only start. He gave up five runs, six hits and two walks and tallied just one strikeout in 3 2/3 innings amid a 9-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
With Friday’s news, Verlander’s wait to get that bad taste out of his mouth has become longer.
