KANSAS CITY, MO – Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
It’s significant because it establishes the earliest possible date for his return.
Now, Verlander isn’t eligible to pitch for the Tigers until May 31.
The Tigers placed Verlander on the 15-day injured list April 4, retroactive to April 1, with left hip inflammation, so being transferred to the 60-day injured list takes him to May 31.
The 43-year-old made his first and only start this season March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, surrendering five runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout across 3⅔ innings while throwing 80 pitches.
The roster move created space Sunday, May 10, for infielder Gage Workman to join the 40-man roster (replacing injured outfielder Kerry Carpenter on the 26-man roster) before the finale of the three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Verlander recently completed a 38-pitch live batting practice session, but he needs to face hitters again in a non-game setting at some point in the next seven days. He also needs to make a start in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo.
It’s unclear when that will happen.
On May 31, the Tigers are scheduled to play against the Chicago White Sox in the finale of a three-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field.
It could be a start day for Verlander.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander transferred to 60-day injured list
