Verlander Headed Back to Triple-A After Iowa Rehab Start
Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander wants the ball in the big leagues. Instead, he's getting one more stop in the minors.
Verlander is scheduled to make his second Triple-A rehab start Wednesday with the Mud Hens in Toledo, Ohio. The decision comes after a sharp outing Monday in Iowa, where he threw 64 pitches over five innings. The Tigers' front office and medical staff want him stretched out closer to 80 pitches before returning to Detroit's rotation.
Verlander, sidelined since April 1 with hip inflammation, made his feelings clear.
That's what they want. I would like to pitch, but I guess I pitched too efficiently in the 60-something pitches, which sucks. Like, I did too well. But they want some more volume, and I think that's fair.
Hinch: Big League Demands Are Different
Tigers manager AJ Hinch understands Verlander's frustration but emphasized that being ready physically for the majors requires more than a solid Triple-A tuneup.
I always want the player to want the ball and want to pitch. But two things have to be there. They need to be ready physically for the demands that are different in the big leagues than they are in Triple-A.
Hinch noted that 64 pitches against Triple-A hitters in Iowa is not the same as 64 pitches against major league competition. The intensity ramps up significantly at the highest level.
He is as established and as accomplished as anyone. But you are still trying to prepare for the volume and intensity that's going to come in the big leagues.
Rotation Logjam on the Horizon
Verlander isn't the only starter working his way back. The Tigers are preparing for a wave of returning arms, which creates its own set of challenges.
Tarik Skubal, set to make a rehab start at High-A West Michigan on Sunday, could slot back into the rotation as early as Friday in Cleveland. Casey Mize, also eligible to return Friday, is scheduled to pitch Tuesday for Low-A Lakeland in Clearwater, Florida. He would be on track to rejoin the rotation next week in Houston.
If Verlander hits his pitch count target Wednesday, he would also be in line to return during that same Houston series.
We will work our way through slotting guys back in and getting them ready as soon as possible. But it's not as simple as just disrupting everything and inserting three-fifths or three-sixths of a rotation, if we go to a six-man rotation. The best thing for these guys and the best thing for our team is for them to get their outings in and we'll address what is needed when it comes.
Weather Forces Schedule Adjustments
Heavy rain forecasted for Toledo on Tuesday forced the Tigers to shuffle their rehab plans. Verlander's start was pushed to Wednesday, and Mize's outing was relocated to Clearwater.
Reliever Kenley Jansen is still scheduled to pitch one inning Tuesday in Toledo, though Hinch left some flexibility.
We could push him back a day if we need to. But we're not going to prep a starter to pitch Tuesday with the weather.
Brutal Stretch Adds Urgency
The Tigers are about to enter a grueling stretch of 20 games in 21 days. That makes it even more critical that Verlander is fully stretched out before he returns.
Verlander acknowledged the practical reality of the situation.
I understand the volume thing. Especially starting a stretch of a bunch of games with no off-day. You don't want to go out and you haven't stretched yourself and you have to come out early and put the bullpen in a bind. I understand that.
Still, the competitive fire burns. The hip injury has kept him out far longer than anyone expected, and recent adjustments have him feeling strong.
I definitely want to be out there. This has been way longer than anybody anticipated. I've made some adjustments in the last few weeks and really responded well. So I am definitely anxious to be in this uniform and pitching.