Verlander slated for activation from IL to start Sunday

HOUSTON -- Pronounced ready for “the next step” by manager A.J. Hinch, Justin Verlander will return to the Tigers’ rotation on Sunday in Detroit against the White Sox.

Reunited with the Tigers after signing a one-year free-agent deal, Verlander, 43, made one Major League start this season before being sidelined with inflammation in his left hip. He went on the injured list on April 4 (retroactive to April 1) but made rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo on June 2 and 10. A four-inning simulated game at Daikin Park on Monday preceded Hinch’s announcement on Tuesday.

“We had a couple rehab games; we had the session [on Monday]. It’s time to challenge him even more with a game,” Hinch said. “He’s responded better and better after these outings. I think the big key is holding his stuff and holding his delivery.”

Verlander threw 64 pitches over five scoreless innings in his first rehab appearance. In the second, against Twins affiliate St. Paul, he allowed four home runs over an 86-pitch outing that lasted 5 2/3 innings.

Verlander lasted only 3 2/3 innings at Arizona on March 30, allowing five runs, six hits and two walks in a 9-6 Tigers loss. Sunday now brings the Majors’ active leader in wins (266) and strikeouts (3,554) a welcome chance to add to those totals.

“This is the next step,” Hinch said. “He’s worked hard to get back to this point. We’ve pushed him. We’ve pushed the volume; we’ve pushed the intensity. And that adrenaline that he talks about and the energy that comes with that start will be good for him. And I think it’ll be good for us.”

Tarik Skubal, with whom Verlander was playing chess in the clubhouse before Tuesday’s game, will start Friday’s series opener against the White Sox. Troy Melton, a late scratch from his scheduled start Monday against the Astros because of tightness in his back, is a possibility for Saturday if he recovers satisfactorily.