HOUSTON – Right-hander Justin Verlander hasn’t pitched for the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park since Aug. 20, 2017.
It has been nearly nine years.
The 3,227-day drought will end when Verlander throws his first pitch Sunday, June 21, against the Chicago White Sox in the finale of a three-game series at Comerica Park, making his return from an 81-day stay on the injured list this season.
“It’s been a long road,” Verlander said before Wednesday’s finale of a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. “Frustrating, to say the least. I’m excited to be out there.”
Verlander has been sidelined since April 1 with left hip inflammation.
The 43-year-old hasn’t pitched for the Tigers since March 30, when he gave up five runs across 3⅔ innings on 80 pitches to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. He hasn’t pitched for the Tigers since.
“The different between a sim game and a rehab start has been significant, with a little bit more adrenaline,” Verlander said. “The mechanics, quite frankly, aren’t perfect, but it’s been long enough to where we have to make a decision.”
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On his way back, Verlander completed three simulated games and two rehab starts, stretching out to nearly 90 pitches. He recently completed a four-inning, 66-pitch simulated game.
Verlander doesn’t know how his health will hold up in his return to the Tigers.
“We need to figure out what this looks like and if I’m capable to go out there and do what I need to do physically to compete,” Verlander said. “It’s that time. In a perfect world, everything would be 100% and good to go and I feel like I did five years ago. It’s just not the case right now.”
The Tigers delayed Verlander’s return for performance and health reasons.
But they’re not going to keep waiting.
“Nobody sees the point in trying to delay this any further,” Verlander said. “You got to figure it out and figure out where you’re at. Game intensity is the only way you really know.”
The Verlander situation is one of many injuries the Tigers have faced throughout the 2026 season, including to key players such as left-hander Tarik Skubal, right-hander Casey Mize, second baseman Gleyber Torres, outfielder Kerry Carpenter and right-handed relievers Kenley Jansen and Will Vest.
Why do the Tigers have a 30-43 record as the third-worst team in the American League?
Verlander blames the injuries.
Now, he gets a chance to help the Tigers climb out of their hole.
“I think we’ve shown the path to winning,” Verlander said. “When we get healthy, we’ve been a good team. Obviously, May was really difficult. I mean, we had some really catastrophic injuries and guys that were integral to this club’s success go down all at once. I know that’s part of the game. Guys get hurt. But to have that many compile on you, it makes it really difficult. I think the path to winning is just being healthy.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Justin Verlander uncertain in return: No reason to ‘delay any further’
Reporting by Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
