Tigers P Justin Verlander to make 2015 debut Saturday against Indians
Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander will make his first start of the 2015 season on Saturday against the Cleveland Indians, the team told MLB.com Tuesday.
Verlander is coming off of a triceps injury he suffered during a spring training game against Toronto.
The Tigers placed the 32 year old on the disabled list on April 8 with triceps cramping. It was the first time in Verlander's 11-year career - all with the Tigers - that the team had placed him on the DL.
Verlander struck out nine batters in 5 2/3 innings on Saturday in a 93-pitch minor league rehabilitation start with the Toledo Mud Hens.
• 2015 MLB draft tracker: Check out every pick from every team
The six-time All-Star has pitched at least 200 innings in each of the last eight seasons, but the 2011 Cy Young Award winner regressed in 2014 when he posted a 4.54 ERA.
Verlander is signed with the Tigers through 2019 to an average of $28 million per year.
Detroit was 30–28 coming in to Tuesday night's games, 3 1/2 games back in the American League Central.
- Will Green
