Detroit — Justin Verlander is slated to pick up the pitching activity over the weekend after dealing with left hip inflammation that put him on the injured list.
Verlander will throw a bullpen on Saturday, the Tigers announced on Friday. It will be the first pitching activity on the mound for the veteran since he went on the 15-day injured list following his first start.
Verlander threw on flat ground in Minnesota earlier in the week.
With an injury designation retroactive to April 1, Verlander will be eligible to return to the lineup on April 16. If all goes well in his throwing session on Saturday, Verlander will be a step closer to returning.
Verlander, who was drafted by the Tigers and rose to stardom in Detroit, returned on a one year, $13 million deal this offseason.
Verlander turned 43 in February and is the oldest active player in MLB, coming off an age 42 season where he made 29 starts for the San Francisco Giants.
Andrew Graham is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers’ Justin Verlander takes a big step in his rehab this weekend
Reporting by Andrew Graham, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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