Tigers: Justin Verlander Set for Rehab Start with Toledo
By Matt Snyder
The Detroit Tigers have cleared star pitcher Justin Verlander to make a minor league rehab start with the Toledo Mud Hens on Sunday, according to a report by Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.
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"He will start his rehabilitation assignment with Toledo against the Indianapolis Indians on Sunday, manager Brad Ausmus said today. He will throw between 80 and 85 pitches."
The team hasn’t commented on whether he’ll need just the one start or not, but Verlander, as always, seems to be confident he can return quickly. Here’s Fenech again quoting Verlander after his (i.e. Verlander’s) simulated game on Tuesday:
"He could throw 80-85 pitches in a potential rehab start, he guessed, and, “I would think if I can throw 95-100, I would be ready to go.”"
If all goes well and only the one rehab start is needed, Verlander would be on track to make his season debut next weekend when the team travels to take on the Chicago White Sox.
Ace reporter David Price tweeted out the action during the sim game, noting that Verlander looked good.
Big Ver back on the bump!!! 3 ip 2 hits 0 runs 1BB 6ks...worked out of a 1st and 3rd 1 out jam with w K and F8 pic.twitter.com/fhLRJobF0O
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) May 26, 2015
Vers final line for sim game...4.1 ip 3 hits (all 1bs) 1 BB 9ks 0 runs...I don't use the term domination lightly and he DOMINATED!!!
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) May 26, 2015
Verlander’s return would, quite obviously, be a very welcomed sight for the Detroit Tigers. The team has already plumbed the entirety of the system’s starting pitching depth — Kyle Lobstein (now on the DL), Buck Farmer (starting today), and Kyle Ryan (called up to pitch yesterday) — so they could use some respite from all the attrition.
Even if he never returns to 2009-2013 form — and there’s reason to fear he might not after several key pitching metrics were down for him last sesaon — the team will still benefit from having another reasonable arm in the fold to eat innings.
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