Skip to main content

Tigers' Justin Verlander 'felt extremely good' in throwing session

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said ace Justin Verlander "threw and felt extremely good" on Saturday
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Justin Verlander "threw and felt extremely good" on Saturday, two days after the team said its ace would begin the season on the 15-day disabled list, reports MLB.com.

Verlander remained in Lakeland, Fla., while the team returned to Detroit. He will throw a light bullpen session on Sunday and then pitch to hitters on Tuesday. If that goes according to plan, Ausmus has said Verlander will likely make his regular-season debut April 12 against the Cleveland Indians.

Verlander, Nathan among veteran pitchers trying to rebound in 2015

"Verlander threw and felt extremely good," manager Brad Ausmus said of Verlander's Saturday morning throwing session off flat ground in Lakeland. "So it's all positive news on Ver."

Verlander left his last start on March 27 with a mild cramp in his right triceps muscle and later missed his next scheduled start on Thursday.

The Tigers have until Tuesday to place Verlander on the disabled list and still be able to backdate the move to have him available for his April 12 start.

SI.com's MLB experts make their playoff picks, awards predictions

Verlander, 32, went 15-12 last season with a 4.54 ERA, snapping his streak of five consecutive All Star appearances.

The Tigers will open their season on Monday against the Minnesota Twins in Detroit.

Mike Fiammetta