DETROIT — A much-anticipated homecoming for veteran pitcher Justin Verlander has been delayed after the Detroit Tigers sidelined him Saturday due to injury.
The 43-year-old hurler, who holds the distinction of being baseball’s oldest active player, was added to the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his left hip. Verlander had been slated to take the mound Sunday evening for his first appearance in a Tigers jersey at Comerica Park since August 20, 2017.
The veteran pitcher was traded to the Houston Astros during the 2017 trade deadline. Following a stint with the San Francisco Giants last year, Verlander rejoined Detroit in February after signing a one-year deal worth $13 million.
During his initial tenure with Detroit spanning 2005 through 2017, Verlander took the mound for 380 starts. His 2024 season debut against Arizona on Monday proved challenging, as he surrendered five runs on six hits across 3 2/3 innings and was credited with the defeat.
The Tigers have called up right-handed pitcher Keider Montero from their Triple-A affiliate in Toledo, with Montero expected to take the mound for the concluding game of their three-game series against St. Louis.
