It was reported earlier this week that right-hander Justin Verlander would be coming off the 60-day injured list to start Sunday’s game, with righty Keider Montero moved to the bullpen. That will no longer happen. Verlander suffered a left hamstring injury while throwing a bullpen on Wednesday and has now been diagnosed with a strain with will cost him several weeks, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Stavenhagen adds that Montero will start that game instead.
It’s yet another frustrating setback in the Verlander-Tigers reunion. Detroit signed him to a one-year deal in the offseason, a $13MM guarantee but with $11MM deferred. That was supposed to lengthen the rotation and give fans some excitement about the prospect of Verlander returning to Comerica Park in Tigers orange.
That still hasn’t happened yet. Verlander made one start on the road in Arizona before left hip inflammation sent him to the IL. Sunday was set to finally be his triumphant return to Detroit but that will now have to wait even longer.
More to come.
