Justin Verlander pitched in a game for the first time since leaving his spring training start on March 27 with tightness in his right triceps. He took the mound for Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, but it did not go well.
The right-hander was tagged for three earned runs on six hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings. He threw 79 pitches and struggled with his mechanics and control, but that isn't too big a surprise because it was his first competitive outing in over two months.
"Overall, he looked like a guy who hadn't pitched in a while," Toledo Mud Hens' manager Larry Parrish told Jeff Seidel of The Detroit Free Press. "I would think he would get one more rehab start. But that isn't my decision."
Tigers' manager Brad Ausmus has not yet made a decision on whether or not Verlander will make another rehab start, but based on the cautious route he's taken with the veteran thus far, it's certainly possible Verlander makes another appearance with Toledo. Detroit has hit a rough patch in the last two weeks and have went 5-10 in their past 15 games, so Ausmus may not want to throw Verlander back into the rotation under such circumstances.
Additionally, Verlander had his second-worst season as a starter last year (15-12 with a 4.54 ERA and 1.398 WHIP) and it's possible he needs more time to regain his composure and confidence. The Mud Hens made a couple of poor defensive plays and Verlander's pitch count was high because so many of his pitches were fouled off, but he still struggled with his command. He threw 36 pitches in the second inning and only 19 were strikes, indicating he may need some more time to get acclimated.
All in all, it's a good sign Verlander felt good on the mound and didn't experience any discomfort in his right triceps. That's the most important aspect to take away from the rehab start because the Tigers will need the 32-year-old for the long haul. The team's starter's ERA has dropped to 4.31, which is good for 22nd in the MLB, and they clearly need some reinforcement.
"Verlander does not know when he will pitch again, or if he will need another rehab start, or when he will rejoin the Tigers. In many ways, it depends on how he feels Monday morning," Seidel wrote.
"He made it clear that he would rather not pitch another rehab game. But on this day, he didn't look ready for the Tigers. Not yet."
UPDATE: Justin Verlander will make a second rehab start on Saturday, according to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.
