Veteran right-hander reportedly ready to pitch in Detroit, but front office raises eyebrows with controversial decision
Justin Verlander is reportedly furious behind closed doors after the Detroit Tigers decided to force the future Hall of Famer to make yet another minor-league rehab start — despite the 43-year-old ace insisting he’s ready to return to the big leagues immediately.
According to sources close to the situation, Verlander was expecting to rejoin the Tigers rotation for this weekend’s series against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. But insiders say the front office and medical staff put their foot down, demanding he prove himself in Triple-A Toledo for a second time — a move that has left the veteran scratching his head.
“He pitched too efficiently in his first rehab start, and apparently that backfired,” one league insider told us, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The organization is reportedly worried about workload, but Verlander feels like he’s being punished for dominating.”
During his debut with the Toledo Mud Hens last week, Verlander tossed five scoreless innings against the Iowa Cubs, needing just 64 pitches to cruise through the outing. Sources say he felt sharp, his mechanics were on point, and all health benchmarks have been cleared since he landed on the injured list with left hip inflammation back on April 1.
But instead of getting the green light, the Tigers are reportedly setting a new target: 70-to-80 pitches Wednesday against the St. Paul Saints, the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate.
What’s really behind the delay?
Manager AJ Hinch has publicly defended the decision, arguing that 64 pitches against minor-league hitters doesn’t translate to the same stress as a major-league outing. But those close to the situation suggest there’s more to the story — including rumored concerns about Verlander’s age and durability after two months on the shelf.
“They’re treating him like a rookie who needs to prove himself,” the source added. “This is a guy with three Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings. Insiders say the tension is real.”
Weather also reportedly played a role: heavy rain in Toledo scrambled schedules and pushed the start back a day, further complicating what was already a delicate timeline.
Verlander’s only MLB appearance this season came way back on March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Since then, he’s been sidelined with hip inflammation, throwing multiple simulated games before embarking on this rehab assignment.
What’s at stake for Detroit?
If Verlander gets through Wednesday’s start without any setbacks, sources say he could finally return to the Tigers rotation during a road series against the Houston Astros on June 15 or 16. That would end a frustrating wait for the former Tigers ace, who inked a one-year, $13 million contract this offseason after a 2025 campaign with the San Francisco Giants.
But the bigger question, according to analysts, is whether this cautious approach will pay off — or whether it risks alienating a proven winner who clearly believes he’s ready.
Fans and insiders are buzzing about what this could mean for Verlander’s relationship with the organization going forward. If the veteran’s patience runs thin, could we see tension spill into the clubhouse once he’s finally activated? One thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on Toledo Wednesday night.
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