Veteran Detroit Tigers pitchers Justin Verlander and Jack Flaherty had a "productive day" throwing off the mound on Saturday, Sept. 12, as part of their ongoing injury recoveries, according to manager A.J. Hinch.
Verlander, 43, threw off the Comerica Park mound. Batters stood in the box to help simulate the strike zone, but did not swing. Verlander, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, had his best velocity in the last month of the rehab process, according to Hinch. The likely future Hall of Famer has only made one start since rejoining Detroit in free agency on March 30.
"He didn't have the hitter swing, but he got some feedback from them," Hinch said on Sunday ahead of the series finale against the Colorado Rockies. "He did throw as hard
as he has thrown really in the last month-plus. That was a good sign. I've got to check with him to see how he felt today."
Verlander will be on a seven-day recovery plan, with his next checkup scheduled during the road series against the Chicago White Sox.
"He will get a couple of bullpen sessions and then there will be something in Chicago pregame, likely a live [batting practice] or a sim game of some sort to try and push that intensity and volume even more."
The plan is malleable given it is an injury recovery and Verlander has already experienced other setbacks this season. If Verlander gets through the seven-day plan and the next step in Chicago without any hiccups, it will be followed with another seven-day schedule.
The aim is to have Verlander ready for the final homestand, where the team will have a two-day celebration of his storied 21-year MLB career.
"He's got a lot of mound sessions between then," Hinch said. "He's got some questions to answer. I am cautious to throw it out there firm because a lot of things can happen between now and then and we've seen that.
"He's really battling. He's going to pitch through whatever, but we can't have a setback of any sort. I don't want to make a false promise until I can actually make that promise."
Flaherty gearing up for rehab start
Flaherty pitched a two-inning simulated game after Verlander finished his session.
Flaherty will travel with the team and go through a normal five-day recovery before joining Triple-A Toledo for a rehab start.
"He will go to Toronto with us as a rehabber and then have another outing," Hinch said. "And hopefully just continue to build up a little capacity. He is pretty set."
Flaherty is pushing to return to pitch in what could be his final weeks in a Tigers uniform. The veteran right-hander will be a free agent once the offseason begins.
"We owe it to Jack to do this [recovery] responsibly but yet give him an opportunity to demonstrate health and quality," Hinch said.
ContactJared Ramsey at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers pitchers Justin Verlander, Jack Flaherty take 'productive' step in rehab
