DETROIT – Justin Verlander‘s anticipated return to the mound has been delayed again after the veteran pitcher suffered a new injury during a bullpen session this week, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch announced Friday.
Verlander, who had been scheduled to start Sunday (June 21) at Comerica Park, sustained a left hamstring strain while throwing a bullpen session in Houston on Wednesday.
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The injury occurred just before what was expected to be the final step in his rehabilitation process.
“He goes out to the bullpen, then came into my office with a pretty distraught look on his face that he had felt something different,” Hinch said. “He expressed some concern to the point where we got medical involved.”
The Tigers conducted testing in Detroit on Thursday and sought multiple medical opinions before determining the extent of the injury.
“It’s a new injury, lower than the previous left leg injury that he had,” Hinch said. “He’s pretty upset, obviously. It’s not a matter of days — it’s a matter of weeks. We’re going to need a full rehab process to get him back throwing again.”
Setback dims return excitement
The setback comes as excitement had been building around Verlander’s expected return.
The future Hall of Famer had progressed through rehab starts, live batting practice, and bullpen sessions, positioning himself for a long-awaited return to the rotation.
“I know how much he was putting into this,” Hinch said. “The rehab starts, the live BPs, the bullpen work, the announcement, getting ourselves ready to get him back into competition. It’s frustrating. He’s really upset.”
With Verlander sidelined, right-hander Keider Montero is expected to start Sunday’s game.
“Certainly it’s a setback for him and for us when we were ready to put him in the rotation plan for Sunday,” Hinch said.
Tigers announce roster, injury updates
The Tigers also announced several other roster and injury updates on Friday.
Outfielder Wenceel Perez will be placed on the injured list after suffering facial and eye injuries.
Hinch said Pérez has not yet been cleared to fly back to Detroit due to swelling, but is improving.
“As of the news I have now, he’s safe. He’s in a good place,” Hinch said. “The swelling is starting to go down.”
To fill Pérez’s roster spot, the Tigers recalled versatile switch-hitter Trei Cruz for his major league debut.
Hinch praised Cruz’s perseverance through injuries and setbacks in the minor leagues.
“Not everybody’s journey to the big leagues is a smooth ride,” Hinch said. “He’s tough enough to handle it and worked his way to be here.”
Third-generation of Cruz in the Major Leagues 👏
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 19, 2026
Welcome to The Show, Trei! pic.twitter.com/P0DzeD7JUz
Infielder Gleyber Torres received a cortisone injection for an oblique strain and is expected to begin his rehabilitation process soon.
Hinch said no baseball activities have started yet, but the treatment is designed to reduce inflammation and speed recovery.
There was better news regarding pitcher Jack Flaherty, who is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.
“That’s the best news that I have in terms of a positive trend,” Hinch said. “He feels great, and we’ll start his throwing back on the mound, which is a big deal for a pitcher.”
For now, the focus remains on Verlander, whose latest setback has postponed a return both he and the Tigers had eagerly anticipated.