Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander took the mound at Comerica Park as part of his rehab process, and things didn’t exactly look encouraging for the veteran.
Verlander pitched four innings of a simulated start against batters Wenceel Pérez, Jahmai Jones and Zack Short on Wednesday, May 20, allowing three solo home runs (including two on back-to-back pitches to Jones and Pérez in the second inning) as part of his practice outing.
His final line: 4 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 K, 0 BB on 62 pitches. But beyond the subpar results, Verlander’s stuff showed potential signs of concern.
The velocity on Verlander’s 4-seam fastball sat just under 93 mph for the early part of his start, topping out at 94.6 mph but falling to around 91 mph consistently in the third and fourth innings, according to the Statcast measurements shown on the stadium’s jumbotron. Verlander’s fastball averaged 93.9 mph in 2025, which fell in the 43rd percentile among all MLB pitchers.
Verlander threw his first simulated start following on May 9, a two-inning session at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City that lasted 38 pitches.Baseball HQ: Projections and analysis to power your fantasy baseball season.
The 43-year-old has made one start this season and has been on the injured list with left hip inflammation since April 4. Though he is available to return on May 31, the Tigers haven’t indicated whether Verlander will be ready to pitch by then.
Verlander did not speak to the media after his session, and manager A.J Hinch didn’t elaborate much about what he saw out of Verlander.
“We’re obviously trying to get him ready for competition, so we’ll look at all of it over the next day,” he said. “I don’t know where he’s at.”ANOTHER LOSS: Detroit Tigers whiff on big chance in another loss to rival Guardians
Hinch shuts down Tarik Skubal rumors
Will Carroll, who writes the Under The Knife newsletter chronicling injury information in pro sports, recently published a newsletter saying that injured Tigers starter Tarik Skubal could return from the injured list as early as next week, forgoing the need for a rehab assignment.
Skubal underwent surgery on May 6 to remove a loose body from his left elbow and returned to Detroit on Monday, May 18, to continue his rehab. But Hinch denied Carroll’s report, calling it “ridiculous” and adding that Skubal would need at least one rehab start before returning.
Skubal himself spoke to the media on Monday and didn’t provide a timeline for his return.
Troy Melton injury update
Hinch said that injured starter Troy Melton will be coming back to Detroit to continue his rehab process after his most recent minor league outing, throwing a bullpen “in the next day or two” before the team makes a decision about his return. Melton hasn’t pitched in the majors this season after suffering a right elbow strain in spring training, and is eligible to return to the team as soon as Sunday, May 24, for Detroit’s game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Melton allowed one run and two hits over five innings (64 pitches) in a rehab start for Low-A Lakeland on Tuesday, May 19, pitching in Lakeland instead of Triple-A Toledo to avoid an expected rainout for the Mud Hens. It was his longest outing of the season as he ramps up for potential starts with the Tigers.
“He did get his volume up … they made him work a little bit, which was great for us,” Hinch said.
Melton’s return could be a big boost for a Tigers staff missing several key pitchers, including Verlander, ace Tarik Skubal, righty Reese Olson and righty Jackson Jobe.
Gleyber Torres not ready to hit
Hinch provided an update on second baseman Gleyber Torres, who has been out with an oblique strain since May 4, after Torres was once again seen taking infield drills with third base coach Joey Cora.
“Defense is not a problem … we just haven’t been able to get him full-speed swinging,” Hinch said.
Torres has appeared in 32 games so far for the Tigers, slashing .259/.389/.328 over 144 plate appearances before his injury. And though his bat could provide a boost for a Tigers lineup in need of some right-handed production, Hinch said they were being cautious with his return to try to prevent him from reaggravating the injury.
“We feel close every day, which is why we started hinting towards a rehab assignment being next for him, but we’re not there.”
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