Struggles for Justin Verlander Continue

This season hasn’t been ideal for Justin Verlander.

The 43-year-old pitcher suffered a left hamstring injury during a bullpen session on Wednesday, which will likely keep him out for “several weeks,” according to Tigers coach AJ Hinch.

Verlander, a nine-time All-Star, has been on the disabled list since April due to left hip arthritis. He was set to make his first start this Sunday before this latest setback.

Hinch commented, “This is not a matter of a few days. It’s just a matter of a few weeks. He needs a full rehab to be able to throw again.”

He added, “It’s frustrating for both him and us, especially with the excitement building for his return.”

After the news broke, Verlander expressed his disappointment but noted that his hip is starting to feel better, calling the hamstring strain “unfortunate.” He said, “My lower back feels pretty good,” but acknowledged that the hamstring issue forced him to cut his bullpen session short. “Whenever you can’t work, it means something is wrong. I decided to get it checked, and it was tight.”

Verlander’s only appearance this season was disappointing; he pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up five earned runs and walking two batters.

As the oldest active player in the MLB, Verlander returned to the Tigers on a one-year, $13 million contract, where he was originally selected No. 2 in the 2004 draft.

Having debuted in 2005, Verlander spent 13 years with the Tigers, earning both the Cy Young and MVP awards in 2011—a season marked by a pitching triple crown.

He was traded to the Astros during the 2017 season and subsequently won two more Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022.

Verlander signed a notable two-year, $86.6 million deal with the Mets for the 2023 season, but he only played 16 games before returning to Houston.