Verlander's Homecoming Put on Ice: Tigers Place 43-Year-Old Ace on IL With Hip Injury

Justin Verlander's long-awaited return to Comerica Park as a Detroit Tiger is on hold. The 43-year-old, who still holds the title of major league's oldest active player, hit the 15-day injured list Saturday with left hip inflammation. So much for that emotional homecoming everyone was waiting for.

The Timing Couldn't Be Worse

Verlander was supposed to make his first start in a Tigers uniform at Detroit's home park since August 20, 2017, on Sunday night. That's nine years. Nine years since he last pitched at Comerica in a Tigers jersey. The story was there, the narrative was perfect, and then hip inflammation got in the way.

The Tigers signed Verlander to a one-year, $13 million deal back in February after he spent last season with San Francisco. Before that, he'd spent the bulk of his career in Detroit, making 380 starts for the franchise from 2005 to 2017. This was supposed to be his victory lap in front of the home crowd that watched him become one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball.

Early Season Struggles Before the Injury

It wasn't exactly going smooth anyway. In his first start this season against Arizona on Monday, Verlander gave up five runs on six hits in just 3⅔ innings and took the loss. The arm was there, but something's been off from the jump. Now the hip issue has forced Detroit's hand.

RHP Keider Montero got the call up from Triple-A Toledo and is expected to start the finale of Detroit's three-game series against St. Louis. It's not the story anyone wanted, but it's the one we've got right now. The Tigers will have to hope Verlander's time on the shelf is brief and that the hip inflammation is nothing more than a bump in what's supposed to be a final run for the future Hall of Famer.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.