Detroit Tigers Announced Justin Verlander News Before Royals Series

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 11: Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers walks in from the bullpen before their game against the Oakland Athletics during Game Five of the American League Division Series at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 9, 2012 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

On Friday night, the Detroit Tigers played the first game of their series with the Kansas City Royals in Missouri.

The Tigers lost by a score of 4-3.

Tigers Announced Justin Verlander News

UPDATE: Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reported the details from Verlander’s simulated game. 

McCosky wrote: “Verlander threw 38 pitches in two innings, 24 strikes, four swing-and-miss. Eight hitters, Lee and Perez, put the ball in play every at-bat. Lee hit a probable double to left-center. Perez hit a probable double to right. Hopefully, JV and Hinch discuss later today”

Chris McCosky

@cmccosky · Follow

Verlander threw 38 pitches in two innings, 24 strikes, four swing-and-miss. Eight hitters, Lee and Perez, put the ball in play every at-bat. Lee hit a probable double to left-center. Perez hit a probable double to right. Hopefully, JV and Hinch discuss later today

2:54 pm · 9 May 2026

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The Tigers continue to remain without Justin Verlander.

He pitched in his only game of the season on March 30.

Ahead of their series with the Royals, the Tigers announced the latest news on Verlander.

Via MLB.com: “Will throw a two-inning simulated game on May 9 in Kansas City. Will likely need additional work against hitters after that. (Updated May 8)”

According to the site, Verlander is still supposed to return later this month.

Looking At Verlander

Verlander (who is 43) struggled during his only start of the year, going 3.2 innings, allowing six hits and five earned runs.

He is coming off a season where he went 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA in 29 games for the San Francisco Giants.

There is good reason to believe that a healthy Verlander could still help the Tigers in a big way this season.

Jason Beck of MLB.com wrote (on May 5): “Justin Verlander will throw another bullpen session Wednesday, hopefully will face hitters in sim game this weekend. He’ll likely need another step beyond that, either a rehab start or a sim game, before he’s cleared to return from injured list and rejoin Tigers rotation.”

Verlander is one of the best pitchers in MLB history, and is most known for his time with the Tigers from 2005-17.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner then had stints with the Houston Astros, New York Mets (and Giants) before returning to Detroit.

He won two titles in Houston.

Tigers Right Now

Despite their injuries this season, the Tigers are still the second-place team in the American League Central with an 18-21 record in 39 games.

They are 6-15 in 21 games on the road (but 12-6 in 18 games at home).