Tigers manager A.J. Hinch is straight-up pushing for Justin Verlander to pitch one last time in late September, even though the dude hasn’t thrown a single pitch since way back in March. This isn’t just any game, it’s a potential farewell to a surefire Hall of Famer, and Hinch is holding out hope for a truly emotional sendoff. Talk about high stakes, especially when you consider Verlander’s been battling injuries all season long.
The Big Plan: One More Time on the Mound?
The Tigers are already planning a huge celebratory weekend for Verlander on September 25 and 26, when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates at home. It’s all about honoring one of the greatest aces in franchise history, a guy who led them to two World Series trips back in 2006 and 2012. Hinch explicitly told reporters, “In pencil, we’re aiming for that last weekend… roughly on that Saturday, that would be at that seven-day cadence.” The manager is clearly doing everything he can to make this happen, to get Verlander back on the mound one last time for the fans. You gotta respect that dedication to a legend, right?
The Gnawing Doubt: Injuries and a Long Shot Season
Here’s where it gets real murky. Verlander landed on the injured list with hip inflammation in April. Then, to make things worse, Detroit had to scratch him from a June start because of hamstring trouble. The man simply hasn’t been healthy, and that’s a massive problem for someone hoping to pitch competitively. Adding to the drama, the Tigers aren’t exactly tearing it up this season. They’re sitting at 69-79, fourth in the American League Central, and are a long shot to make the playoffs. With the team out of the postseason race, this farewell becomes the absolute biggest thing the fanbase has to look forward to. A loss to the Pirates in Game 161 won’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but seeing Verlander on the mound again? That’s everything. Hinch is trying to manage expectations, too. He’s been clear he wants to avoid making a “false promise” because Verlander’s status is “far from guaranteed.”
So, as we head toward September 25 and 26, every baseball fan will be watching to see if this Hall of Famer gets one last shot. It’s an emotional ride for everyone involved, especially the Tigers faithful. Can Hinch pull off this miracle, or will the injuries keep a legend sidelined for good?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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