Justin Verlander’s first start back at Comerica Park will have to wait a bit more time.
The Detroit Tigers on Saturday placed the three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2011 American League MVP on the 15-day injured list with left hip inflammation. The move is retroactive to Wednesday.
Verlander had been slated Sunday to make his first start at Detroit, as a member of the Tigers, since 2017.
Fellow right-hander Keider Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to replace Verlander, who signed to a one-year, $13 million contract on Feb. 10 to return to the Tigers.
Verlander, 43, took the loss in his first start of the season. He allowed five runs on six hits — including one homer — in 3 2/3 innings of a 9-6 setback to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
For his career, Verlander is 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA, 1,006 walks and 3,554 strikeouts in 3571 1/3 innings over 556 regular-season games (all starts) for the Tigers (2005-17), Houston Astros (2017-20, 2022, 2023-24), New York Mets (2023) and San Francisco Giants (2025). He missed the 2021 season after having Tommy John surgery in September 2020.
Verlander was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2006 and swept AL MVP and Cy Young honors in 2011. He also won the Cy Young 2019 and 2022 with Houston.
Detroit selected Verlander with the second overall pick of the 2004 MLB Draft out of Old Dominion University.
Montero, 25, posted a 5-3 record with a 4.37 ERA in 20 appearances (12 starts) last season with the Tigers.
