Verlander throws a simulated inning in push to start next Saturday
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CHICAGO – Justin Verlander took what could be his last step towards one more game appearance before retirement, facing hitters in a one-inning simulated game on Friday at Rate Field.
It was brief, approximately 20 pitches to Tigers rookie hitters Brett Callahan and Ben Malgeri. But it was enough for Tigers officials to continue preparing Verlander to take the mound at Comerica Park next Saturday against the Pirates.
“I think it was as quality of work as we could expect, and what we needed to take the next step,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “It was encouraging to see him on the mound, have hitters.
“It was just a one-inning stint, but he got a lot accomplished. He got a lot of swing-and-miss. He didn't show any reservation. He didn't hold much back. I really liked his day. Now we have to pay attention to recovery and how the next few days go, but outside of the day changing, the quality of the work was exactly what we would've wanted a week ahead of time before we hopefully have him on the mound.”
Verlander, currently on the 60-day injured list recovering from a left hamstring strain, was originally slated to throw his sim game here on Saturday, but the Tigers moved it up a day due to forecasts for rain in Chicago. With a limited window to prepare Verlander and no room for setbacks, they couldn’t take the chance of a delay.
Verlander isn’t the only veteran Tigers starter on track to return next weekend. Jack Flaherty is scheduled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on Saturday night. It would not be long, just two or three innings, but it would put Flaherty – out since late July with right flexor inflammation – on track to make a short start next weekend. He would not piggyback with Verlander, but could pitch either next Friday or Sunday.
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“The hope was going to be to do this and then be part of the playoffs going forward,” Flaherty said. “That was the whole goal. I put in a lot of work to get to this point, to be back and be in a situation to throw. Everything feels good. Situation didn’t work out where we hoped we’d be in a playoff push, but you just take one day at a time and figure it out.”