Two injured Detroit Tigers pitchers are taking one step closer to returning.
Before Detroit's game against the Colorado Rockies
on Friday, Sept. 11, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that right-hander Jack Flaherty will throw a simulated game on Saturday, at Comerica Park. Flaherty is expected to pitch 2-3 simulated innings against Tigers batters from the mound before the afternoon game against the Rockies.Flaherty last pitched competitively for Triple-A Toledo on Sept. 6, allowing one hits and zero runs over 1⅓ innings in a rehab start in Toledo. The righty has been rehabbing from right flexor tendon inflammation and last pitched in the majors in a start against the Chicago Cubs on July 20.
become new identity
Flaherty is 3-8 with a 4.59 ERA over 86⅓ innings for the Tigers in 2026. He will be a free agent after the season.
Hinch added Friday that right-hander Justin Verlander will throw off a mound around the same time of Flaherty's sim game, though Verlander will not be facing live batters during his bullpen session.
"It's more of a designed up-down bullpen [session] for him. He may do that in the bullpen, he might do it on the main mound," Hinch said.
Verlander, 43, made one start this season on March 30 (against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix) before hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain. The rehab has come with many setbacks, with the veteran righty eventually announcing his plan to retire at the end of the season. But with the Tigers honoring Verlander's achievements with the franchise over a two-day celebration during the team's final series of the season, Verlander appears to be focused on trying to start before the regular season ends on Sept. 27.
Though Flaherty appears further along in his rehab process than Verlander, the Tigers haven't provided a timeline for either pitcher to return.
Kerry Carpenter, Wenceel Pérez injury updates
Hinch said that Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter is "increasing his activity" at the Tigers complex in Lakeland, Florida, but didn't provide any further prognosis on his injured heel.
"I know he's trying and he's saying he's feeling better, but [he's] still limited and under full speed," Hinch said.
Carpenter has appeared in 81 games for the Tigers this season, slashing .208/.276/.416 over 259 plate appearances and last playing on July 26.
Hinch also provided a small but meaningful update for injured outfielder Wenceel Pérez, saying that Pérez is not officially shut down but "most likely" done for the season. Pérez was accidentally struck in the face by a plyometric band after Detroit's 4-2 loss to the Houston Astros on June 16, suffering an orbital fracture. It's an atypical baseball injury that has come with a long recovery process.
"I don't know how to make an eye heal faster, and that's the toughest part," said Hinch, who said that the only prescription for Pérez at this point is rest. "He's doing fine, and he's still quote-unquote 'rehabbing,' but it's going to be really hard to see him moving forward this year."
Pérez has appeared in 53 games for the Tigers, slashing .180/.246/.348 with seven home runs over 175 plate appearances.
Keider Montero on baby watch
Tigers right-hander Keider Montero was away from Comerica Park on Friday, with Hinch saying he was "in route" for the expected birth of his child. Hinch says that Montero will likely be placed on the paternity list on Saturday, with the Tigers planning to activate lefty Andrew Sears to take his place on the active roster.
Sears could then be named the starting pitcher for Saturday's game, with the rookie having made his first start in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Sept. 4 – though Saturday's pitching plans have yet to be announced.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jack Flaherty to pitch sim game, Justin Verlander bullpen on Saturday
