Justin Verlander is nearing a return after completing a bullpen session without setbacks. He is set to face hitters for the first time since his injury on March 30.
Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander is getting closer to a return.
The 43-year-old completed a bullpen session Wednesday, May 6, without any setbacks, allowing him to finally advance to the next step in the rehabilitation process. He is preparing to face hitters for the first time since his March 30 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Verlander has been on the injured list since April 4, retroactive to April 1, with left hip inflammation.
"I'm feeling good," Verlander said before Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. "I'm starting the build-up process. I don't know exactly what that looks like, but physically, I'm feeling much better, and mechanically, I'm also feeling much better. Those are good signs."
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander in the dugout during the eighth inning against Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
To face hitters, Verlander will travel with the Tigers for their upcoming road trip against the (Friday-Sunday) at Kauffman Stadium and (Tuesday-Thursday) at Citi Field.
Justin Verlander is recovering from left hip inflammation and has completed a bullpen session, allowing him to advance in his rehabilitation.
Justin Verlander last pitched on March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks before being placed on the injured list on April 4.
Verlander expressed that he is feeling good and is starting the build-up process, noting improvements both physically and mechanically.
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Verlander is lined up to throw a live batting practice session during the Royals series, with Tigers hitters in the batter's box.
"I'm definitely looking forward to it," Verlander said. "The biggest thing I'm going to focus on is trying to maintain the mechanics that I've been working so diligently on āĀ and having those transfer over to when you're competing. It's nice to face hitters in a non-game atmosphere so you can focus more on yourself and not just on results."
Verlander is expected to need a rehab assignment in Triple-A Toledo before joining the Tigers.
It's unclear when he will begin that rehab assignment.
He reflected on his 35 days (and counting) spent on the injured list.
"Early on, the prognosis was that it could be pretty quick," Verlander said. "It just didn't happen that way. The last week or two has been a mental shift for me, where I had to treat this like a long-term injury. It's allowed each day that's better to be a win. That mental switch has helped me to be more positive."
Verlander signed aĀ one-year, $13 million contractĀ in early February, returning to the Tigers for the first time since beingĀ traded in September 2017. He previously pitched for the Tigers from 2005-17.
The 21-year MLB veteran has been on the injured list in each of the past seven seasons, from 2020-26.
He made his lone start in return to the Tigers on March 30, allowingĀ five runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout across 3ā inningsĀ against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Contact Evan Petzold atĀ epetzold@freepress.comĀ or follow himĀ @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Justin Verlander injury update: Tigers legend to start facing hitters