Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander has third MRI on injured triceps
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander underwent a third MRI exam on his strained right triceps in hopes he will be allowed to resume his throwing program.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said the team had the MRI results, but hasn't discussed the results with the team doctors. Verlander has not pitched this season after being placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career on March 29.
He had a simulated game on April 15 cut short because of soreness, and team doctors say he won’t continue the throwing program until an exam shows there is no inflammation in the triceps.
“I’m itching. I'm ready to go,” Verlander said to MLB.com. "In doing all these exercises, it feels pretty normal. It's a little better now. But it was really hard to replicate any sort of injury feeling or sharp pains or anything in doing normal activities, so it's really hard to assess."
UPDATE: On Wednesday morning, Verlander posted this cryptic, yet undeniably positive-looking Instagram photo. It looks safe to assume he received some good news. "Green means go!!!"
The 32-year-old, six-time All-Star has pitched at least 200 innings in each of the last eight seasons. Verlander went 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA in 32 starts last season and has gone 152-89 in his career.
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The Tigers have done fine so far this season without Verlander, boasting a 17-10 record, a half-game behind the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central.
Verlander said that he will continue to do light tossing until he is cleared to pitch again.
“I don't think anybody's at fault for [the injury] lingering—you can't force the body to heal,” he said. “Even in the [simulated] game, I don't think I re-injured it. I think it just wasn't ready. I didn't feel that grab or that really sharp pain. I was just achy, but then it was much more sore than it should have been.”
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