Tigers RHP Verlander Gets MRI For Right Triceps Injury
CHICAGO (AP) — Justin Verlander is trying to stay patient while he recovers from a strained right triceps. It is a difficult task for the right-hander.
The Detroit Tigers star had a third MRI on Tuesday morning in Chicago. The 2011 AL MVP is hoping the inflammation has subsided enough to allow him to increase his throwing program.
"I'm itching. I'm ready to go," Verlander said before the Tigers' 5-2 loss to the White Sox. "Everybody was kind of hesitant to put a number (of days) on it and say, 'Yeah, Justin - I think you're going to be OK.' I don't know what they're going to say. It's kind of a 'We'll see when the doctors come back.'"
Manager Brad Ausmus said the team had the MRI results, but hadn't spoken to all the doctors yet.
Verlander began the season on the disabled list, and then cut short a simulated game on April 15 due to fatigue and soreness.
"I don't think anybody's at fault for (the injury) lingering - you can't force the body to heal," he said. "Even in the (simulated) game, I don't think I re-injured it. I think it just wasn't ready. I didn't feel that grab or that really sharp pain. I was just achy, but then it was much more sore than it should have been."
Verlander said he feels "a little bit better," but it's hard to assess.
The 32-year-old Verlander has pitched at least 200 innings in each of the last eight seasons. He went 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA in 32 starts in 2014.
Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias was out of the lineup against Chicago after he left Sunday's 6-4 win at Kansas City with left groin tightness. Ausmus said he planned to play him against the White Sox, but decided to give him another day because of the wet conditions at U.S. Cellular Field.
(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)