Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch Gives Encouraging Injury Update on Justin Verlander

Verlander won't be activated when first eligible, but is making progress in recovery from left hip inflammation.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:57pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery broken down into overlapping planes of navy blue, burnt orange, and forest green, conceptually representing the fragmented nature of the Tigers' pitching staff and the need for Verlander's full recovery.The Tigers' rotation struggles have heightened the importance of Justin Verlander's recovery, with the team taking a cautious approach to ensure he returns at full strength.Toledo Today

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch provided an update on veteran pitcher Justin Verlander's recovery from a left hip injury. Verlander will not be activated from the injured list when first eligible, but has taken a positive step by completing a bullpen session. The team is still determining Verlander's next steps, which could include a simulated game or a minor league rehab start, as they aim to ensure he is fully healthy before returning to the major league rotation.

Why it matters

The Tigers' starting rotation has struggled early in the season, making it crucial for the team to bring Verlander back at full strength. As one of their key offseason additions, Verlander's return could provide a boost to the pitching staff and the team's playoff hopes.

The details

Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 1 with left hip inflammation, retroactive to his previous start on March 30 when he was roughed up for five earned runs in 3.2 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. While he is eligible to return on April 16, manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that Verlander will not be activated at that time. However, Verlander did complete a bullpen session, which Hinch called 'a huge step' in his recovery. The team is still determining Verlander's next steps, which could include a simulated game or a minor league rehab start, as they aim to ensure he is fully healthy before rejoining the major league rotation.

  • Verlander was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 1, retroactive to his previous start on March 30.
  • Verlander is eligible to return from the injured list on April 16.

The players

Justin Verlander

A veteran right-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who was recently placed on the injured list with left hip inflammation.

A.J. Hinch

The manager of the Detroit Tigers who provided an update on Justin Verlander's recovery and return timeline.

Framber Valdez

A pitcher the Tigers added in free agency this offseason to bolster their starting rotation.

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What they’re saying

“We're not going to activate him right off the bullpen. We think this is a huge step for him with the high-intensity bullpen, and then we'll evaluate after that what's next.”

— A.J. Hinch, Manager, Detroit Tigers

What’s next

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The takeaway

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