Detroit Tigers Announce Justin Verlander Update Before Red Sox Series
Ben Stinar·2026-05-05·via Heavy Sports
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DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 26: Pitcher Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers waves to the fans at Comerica Park after pitching a one-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 26, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Angels 5-0. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
The Tigers are coming off a series where they took two out of three from the Texas Rangers, most recently winning 7-1 (on Sunday).
Detroit Tigers Announce Justin Verlander Update
GettyStarter Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the home opener at Chase Field on March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Tigers have been without future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander since his only start of the season (on March 30).
Ahead of their series with the Red Sox, the team announced the latest update on Verlander.
Via MLB.com: “Threw latest bullpen May 3 at close to full intensity, topping out at 94 mph on fastball. Could face hitters later this week.”
According to the site, he is supposed to return at some point this month.
Verlander struggled in his only outing of the 2026 season.
He went 3.2 innings, allowing six hits, two walks and five earned runs.
The two-time World Series Champion signed with the Tigers over the offseason (he had spent the first 13 seasons of his career with the franchise).
Tigers PR wrote (on March 30): “Justin Verlander is set to join Don Sutton as the only pitchers in @MLB history to begin their career with at least 380 starts on their original team, followed by at least 175 starts elsewhere, and then return to appear again with their first club.”
Justin Verlander is set to join Don Sutton as the only pitchers in @MLB history to begin their career with at least 380 starts on their original team, followed by at least 175 starts elsewhere, and then return to appear again with their first club.
#DNMW
Verlander has gone 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA in 566 career games.
Detroit Right Now
GettyManager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers watches from the dugout during the third inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on March 31, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Tigers have been hit with a lot of injuries this season.
That said, they are still the second-place team in the American League Central with an 18-17 record in 35 games.
At home, the Tigers are an outstanding 12-3 in 15 games at Comerica Park.
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.
He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar