Justin Verlander, the 43-year-old ace for the Detroit Tigers, recently threw off a slope, a major moment in his long-haul injury rehab that Tigers manager A.J. Hinch called “close to a bullpen.” This isn’t just a routine check-up, folks, this is the future Hall of Famer trying to defy the odds and get back on the mound after a season plagued by injuries.
The Long Haul Back to the Mound
Let’s be real, it’s been a tough year for Verlander and Detroit fans. He signed a one-year, $13 million contract in February, hoping to play a big role, but it’s been a brutal ride since. His only appearance this season came way back on March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he gave up five earned runs in just 3⅔ innings. Five days later, he was on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Since then, it’s been a series of stops and starts.
Hinch himself admitted on July 25 that Verlander’s rehab had been “really slow.” We’ve seen setbacks in bullpen sessions and even three minor league rehab starts, with the last one for Triple-A Toledo on June 10. You could feel the frustration from Verlander when he said on June 19, “I’ve always said that I want to play until the wheels fall off. Maybe they are falling off. I hope not.” The sentiment was so heavy that he even announced plans to retire at the end of the season on July 8. Talk about a rollercoaster!
Hinch Sees Encouragement, But No Guarantees
Despite all the setbacks and the previous retirement talk, there’s a new vibe coming from the Tigers’ dugout. Hinch shared on Friday, August 28, that Verlander was “encouraged as I’ve ever heard him” after their discussion. That’s a huge shift from the “wheels falling off” comment, right? Hinch actually believes “that he is building towards something positive” and that Verlander “is going to be able to make at least one appearance” before the season wraps up.
Of course, Verlander, the three-time American League Cy Young Award winner who won two World Series with Houston, wants “multiple” appearances to cap his historic career. But Hinch is still playing it smart. He stressed they “aren’t to the point where we can pencil anything in,” and they’ll likely “wait an extra time just to not have another setback.” It’s all about cautious optimism for the 43-year-old legend, who was drafted by the Tigers back in 2004 and helped them to the 2006 World Series.
So, while the Tigers face the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight, the real story is Verlander’s fight. Can he get back on the mound and add a few more lines to his incredible resume before it’s all said and done? We’re all watching to see if he can make it happen.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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