Justin Verlander: Everything you need to know

Verlander (hip) threw a bullpen session Sunday at close to full intensity, MLB.com reports. Verlander maxed out at 94 miles per hour with his fastball during the throwing session and seemingly checked out well following the workout, which potentially sets him up to face hitters later on this week. Once Verlander reaches that step in the recovery process, the Tigers could have more details regarding when the veteran right-hander might be ready to return from the 15-day injured list. Verlander has been on the shelf since April 4 after experiencing left hip inflammation coming out of his 2026 debut.

Verlander (hip) is not yet asymptomatic, so he is not yet ready to begin a rehab assignment, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. Verlander will throw another bullpen session soon and seems to be trending in the right direction as he works his way back from left hip inflammation. However, the 43-year-old is still feeling some soreness, and until that goes away he will not be cleared to pitch in games. Verlander missed all of April and there remains no timetable for his return.

Manager A.J. Hinch said Verlander's (hip) bullpen session Wednesday was "encouraging," Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports. "I think the last time I tried to really step on it, I don't want to say it was a full step back, but it didn't respond the way I wanted or that anybody wanted," Verlander said. "So that was disappointing. After yesterday, it didn't do that, which is good. It's taken a little longer than I think we expected, which is frustrating." Verlander has missed his last four turns through the rotation due to inflammation in his left hip, and it hasn't responded the way he'd hoped after he was initially believed to require only a minimum stint on the injured list. Verlander is expected to need at least one more bullpen session and a rehab start before making his return to Detroit's rotation.