Justin Verlander has now been out of action for a month after suffering a strained right triceps muscle during spring training. It's still unknown when the former AL MVP and Cy Young winner will return.
Kyle Lobstein has since filled in for Verlander and is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.389 WHIP in three starts (18 innings) in 2015. While he's gotten the job done over that span, it's not comparable to what Verlander is capable of doing even though he endured his worst season since 2008 last year.
But it looks like Lobstein will remain in the rotation for a little while longer.
"He can't pick up a ball until he's completely pain-free and no fluid in the area," manager Brad Ausmus said of Verlander, via Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.
"My understanding is that [the injury] wasn't fully recovered which is why it became sore again. We have to have him completely free of pain and inflammation because you don't want to have a return to that scenario."
Verlander underwent an MRI a week ago and the results confirmed the triceps strain. However, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports the right-hander will accompany the team on their 10-day road trip because "he may be able to throw at some point," Ausmus added.
What's troubling is that Verlander's absence was not expected to last this long, which could mean the injury is more serious than expected and he'll need more time to get back to where he was during spring training.
"By now, Verlander has lost just about all of the arm strength and stamina he built up during spring training, and will probably need a rehab start or two before he rejoins the Tigers' rotation. I would be shocked if he debuts before May 1, and would probably peg his return closer to mid-May or later," writes Rob Rogacki of SB Nation.
"When the injury happened, Verlander was stretched out long enough in his Spring Training starts that he could reasonably expect to slot into the rotation once he was healthy," adds Beck. "That time has passed, and the likelihood of a rehab assignment to stretch out his arm endurance again seemingly rises with time."
General manager Dave Dombrowski and head athletic trainer Kevin Rand previously seemed confident in Verlander's diagnosis as they "consulted quite a few physicians" and possess a "vested interest" in the right-hander's health.
However, if this continues to lag on, concerns may grow and the club could explore trade options considering they also may not be able to retain impending free agents David Price or Alfredo Simon once the season comes to an end.
Dombrowski is not one to make moves hastily, so it's likely he'll wait it out as long as he can before weighing a serious move.
