Justin Verlander last made a start in Comerica Park as a Tiger in 2017. Chris Coduto / Getty Images
April 4, 2026Updated 1:35 pm EDT
DETROIT — Justin Verlander’s return to the Detroit Tigers has hit a snag after one start.
Verlander will go on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Wednesday, with left hip inflammation, the Tigers announced Saturday.
Right-hander Keider Montero will be brought up and likely take Verlander’s spot as the starting pitcher in Detroit’s upcoming NBC “Sunday Night Baseball” matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In his lone start with the Tigers so far, the 43-year-old Verlander lasted only 3 2/3 innings, surrendering five earned runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Friday before the Tigers’ home opener at Comerica Park, Verlander said he felt encouraged after quickly identifying tweaks he could make to his delivery.
“Hips and head position,” Verlander said. “Trying to be a little more deceptive and stay in line a little bit longer. Like I said after the game, it wasn’t good enough. I hope it’s not like last year, where I spent months trying to find it. Hopefully, it gets right a little quicker than that. Talking to the analysts, they said the stuff was actually pretty good. I’m not that far away, I don’t think.”
Verlander felt symptoms of the hip injury sometime after his outing. After his throwing session Saturday, the Tigers determined to place him on the IL.
Montero, 25, had a 4.37 ERA for the Tigers last season and pitched four scoreless innings in his first outing with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.
Apr 4, 2026
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