Detroit Tigers Announce Unfortunate Decision on Justin Verlander
The Tigers transferred Justin Verlander to the 60-day injured list, delaying his possible return until May 31.
The Detroit Tigers officially made a difficult but expected decision regarding veteran pitcher Justin Verlander on Sunday. Detroit transferred Verlander to the 60-day injured list as the organization continues navigating an increasingly brutal stretch of pitching injuries. Justin Verlander Will Be Out Longer Than Expected The move carries major significance because it establishes the earliest possible return date for Verlander.
Now officially on the 60-day injured list, the 43-year-old cannot return to the Tigers before May 31. That timeline represents another frustrating setback for Detroit, especially considering Verlander has appeared in just one game this season since returning to the organization during the offseason. The future Hall of Famer made his lone start March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks before eventually landing on the injured list with left hip inflammation.
Tigers Needed 40-Man Roster Space While the move may sound alarming, the Tigers also made the decision for roster flexibility reasons. Detroit needed to open a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Gage Workman after placing outfielder Kerry Carpenter on the injured list. Still, the optics are difficult.
The Tigers entered 2026 hoping Verlander could provide stability and veteran leadership behind Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez. Instead, injuries have limited him to fewer than four innings all season. Verlander Still Working Toward Return Despite the unfortunate roster move, Verlander is continuing to progress through rehab.