Verlander Set to Return From IL for Sunday Start

WHO:

MLB.com - Colt Keith was a late scratch due to soreness in his right wrist.

MLB.com - Justin Verlander, A.J. Hinch, Colt Keith, Tarik Skubal, Troy Melton, Keider Montero, Jack Flaherty, Framber Valdez, Casey Mize, Burch Smith

MLB Trade Rumors - Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros

WHAT:

MLB.com - Colt Keith had a career-high six RBIs in a game against the Astros.

MLB Trade Rumors - Keider Montero has a 3.61 earned run average through 72 1/3 innings.

MLB Trade Rumors - Montero has a 16.7% strikeout rate and has not allowed more than four runs in any of his 13 appearances.

MLB.com - Justin Verlander will return to the Tigers’ rotation to start against the White Sox.

MLB.com - Verlander made one Major League start this season before being sidelined with inflammation in his left hip.

MLB.com - Verlander went on the injured list on April 4 (retroactive to April 1).

MLB.com - Verlander threw 64 pitches over five scoreless innings in his first rehab appearance and allowed four home runs over an 86-pitch outing in his second.

MLB.com - Colt Keith became the second-youngest Tiger to produce a three-homer game at age 24.

MLB Trade Rumors - Keider Montero is being moved to the bullpen for at least the next two series.

MLB Trade Rumors - Montero has a 3.61 earned run average through 72 1/3 innings.

WHERE:

MLB.com - Verlander's simulated game took place at Daikin Park.

MLB.com - The game will take place in Detroit against the White Sox.

MLB.com - Verlander's rehab starts occurred with Triple-A Toledo.

MLB Trade Rumors - The Tigers are currently playing in Houston.

WHEN:

MLB.com - Verlander’s next start is scheduled for Sunday.

MLB.com - Verlander is set to start on Sunday.

MLB.com - Verlander made rehab starts on June 2 and June 10.

MLB.com - Verlander lasted only 3 2/3 innings in his first start of the season on March 30.

MLB Trade Rumors - Jack Flaherty is out until at least the final few days of June.

WHY:

MLB.com - A.J. Hinch stated that Verlander has responded better after his rehab outings and is ready for a game challenge.

MLB.com - A.J. Hinch stated that Verlander is ready for “the next step” after his rehab outings.

MLB Trade Rumors - The move of Montero to the bullpen is to open a rotation spot for Verlander.

HOW:

MLB.com - Verlander threw 5 2/3 innings and 86 pitches in his second rehab appearance against the Twins affiliate St. Paul.

MLB.com - Verlander participated in a four-inning simulated game before his activation announcement.

MLB Trade Rumors - Montero has experience pitching in a swing role, having started only 12 of 20 appearances last season.

Colt Keith was a late scratch from the lineup due to soreness in his right wrist, despite having just achieved a career-high six RBIs in a game against the Astros. Meanwhile, Keider Montero has been performing well with a 3.61 earned run average over 72 and a third innings, maintaining a 16.7% strikeout rate without allowing more than four runs in any of his 13 appearances. In other news, Justin Verlander is set to make his next start on Sunday after a successful simulated game at Daikin Park, where he threw 5 and 2/3 innings and 86 pitches, showing good progress according to A.J. Hinch.