Report: Verlander Could Start Season On Disabled List
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Because a triceps strain will prevent Justin Verlander from pitching in a minor league spring training game Friday, Verlander could miss his first regular season start, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Verlander, after seven straight seasons as the Opening Day starter, was scheduled to pitch Wednesday, the second game of the season. He suffered a triceps strain Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays, however, and Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters Verlander would need one final spring training outing before the team determines his schedule for the regular season.
Beck notes Verlander could still make his scheduled start if he pitches on short rest Wednesday in Detroit after getting in a spring training outing in Florida this weekend. Ausmus has told reporters that putting Verlander on the disabled list is a possibility, depending on how quickly it takes for Verlander to feel back to normal.
Verlander will not pitch Friday, which puts regular season start next Wednesday in serious question.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) April 1, 2015
Ausmus: "It's a little bit of a stretch, but I wouldn't wave it off yet."
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) April 1, 2015
Verlander threw from 60 feet today at 60% strength, felt good, still a little soreness, according to Brad Ausmus.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) April 1, 2015
Doubtless, this is not how Verlander envisioned kicking off his comeback season.