Justin Verlander injury update: No setback, but recovery at standstill

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander completed his latest bullpen session Wednesday, April 15, in his recovery process from left hip inflammation.

The update?

He didn't take a step in the right direction.

"I'll try to characterize it accurately," manager A.J. Hinch said before Thursday's scheduled game against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. "I think he's doing OK. I don't think he's necessarily taking a step forward, and he hasn't taken a step back. It wasn't quite to the level that he wanted or that we wanted, but it wasn't a setback or making things worse. We're going to take it day-by-day."

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix from March 30-April 1, 2026.

Verlander will travel with the Tigers for their upcoming four-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, from Friday-Monday.

He is expected to throw in some capacity at Fenway Park.

"I don't know what that is yet," Hinch said.

Verlander declined to speak with reporters before Thursday's game.

"I've got work to do," Verlander said.

"We'll try to continue to make good decisions," Hinch said. "It's going a little slower than I think he anticipated or we anticipated, but that's OK. We've got to make sure we get this right because it's not quite to 100% yet where we can advance to game activity."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.