Verlander May Miss Sunday Start, Not Expected To Go On DL
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Detroit Tigers fans can breathe a big sign of relief about starting pitcher Justin Verlander, who exited Monday's game after one inning with shoulder soreness and later underwent an MRI.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus told reporters at Tuesday's game that the MRI of Verlander's shoulder showed inflammation in several places but no structural damage.
Robbie Ray may start in place of Verlander on Sunday, but the Tigers do not expect to put Verlander on the disabled list.
Verlander had admitted after Monday's game that it made him anxious to get an MRI after experiencing shoulder soreness.
"Obviously I'm concerned, there's a level of concern," Verlander said, according to MLB.com. "You go to get an MRI, that's never a good sign. This is the first time in my career. Every other time I've gotten an MRI it's been for a good reason, for the team physical. Now it's a little bit different. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous, but I've never been through this before, I'm going to be a little nervous, so [I'll] keep my hopes high, fingers crossed. Hopefully it's nothing."
Evidently, the issue turned out to be as close to nothing as possible.
Tigers head athletic trainer Kevin Rand told MLB.com's Jason Beck Tuesday that the shoulder inflammation is just normal wear and tear from all the pitches Verlander has thrown over the years.