Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander completed a bullpen session for the first time in the week after lingering pain in his left leg forced him to slow down the rehab process.
Here's the good news: The 43-year-old made progress Wednesday, April 22, in his most recent bullpen as he continues to try to return from left hip inflammation.
There still isn't a timetable for Verlander's return to the Tigers.
"It sounds like his leg didn't hinder him as much as it had in his previous bullpen, which is encouraging," manager A.J. Hinch before Wednesday's game. "The initial reaction from him was a positive step forward, which is great. He still has a series of things that he needs to do before I can plan on anything, but as of right after the bullpen, I was glad to get that news."
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Less than 24 hours later, Verlander discussed his successful bullpen session before Thursday's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park.
"I thought yesterday went well," Verlander said. "The last time I tried to step on it, I don't want to say I had a full setback, but it didn't respond the way I wanted, the way anybody wanted, so that was disappointing. After yesterday, it didn't do that, which is good."
"I think it's reasonable to say that, from there, we can start to try to move forward, which is the whole goal for rehab," Verlander said. "I don't know what these guys are thinking as far as next steps."
"He's going to get off the mound again," Hinch said before Thursday's game. "It was progress, whatever that means. He's going to need to do more and more to really have a distinct plan."
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander poses for a photo with general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, and president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander arrives for his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, center, next to manager A.J. Hinch, left, and president of baseball operations Scott Harris, right, arrive for his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander puts on his No. 35 jersey next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris during the introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.From left, Detroit Tigers pitchers Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty and Framber Valdez watch during Justin Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitchers Tarik Skubal, left, Casey Mize watch during Justin Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitchers Tarik Skubal, left, Casey Mize watch during Justin Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center left, and general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center left, and general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center left, and general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center, and general manager Jeff Greenberg during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, hugs Tarik Skubal after his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, hugs manager A.J. Hinch after his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.From left, Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander, Tarik Skubal, and Casey Mize pose for a photo during Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.A Welcome Back to Detroit Justin Verlander sign at the Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.From left, Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez, pitcher Casey Mize, pitcher Jack Flaherty, pitcher Tarik Skubal, and pitching coach Chris Fetter arrive for Justin Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, shakes hands with president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, shakes hands with president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.1 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander poses for a photo with general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, and president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.1 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander poses for a photo with general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, and president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.2 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander arrives for his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.3 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.4 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, center, next to manager A.J. Hinch, left, and president of baseball operations Scott Harris, right, arrive for his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.5 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander puts on his No. 35 jersey next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris during the introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.6 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.7 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceFrom left, Detroit Tigers pitchers Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty and Framber Valdez watch during Justin Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.8 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.9 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitchers Tarik Skubal, left, Casey Mize watch during Justin Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.10 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitchers Tarik Skubal, left, Casey Mize watch during Justin Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.11 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center left, and general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.12 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center left, and general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.13 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center left, and general manager Jeff Greenberg, left, during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.14 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.15 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.17 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.18 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander answers a question during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.19 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, speaks next to president of baseball operations Scott Harris, center, and general manager Jeff Greenberg during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.20 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, hugs Tarik Skubal after his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.21 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, hugs manager A.J. Hinch after his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.22 / 26See Framber Valdez at his first Detroit Tigers spring trainingFrom left, Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander, Tarik Skubal, and Casey Mize pose for a photo during Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.23 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceA Welcome Back to Detroit Justin Verlander sign at the Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.24 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceFrom left, Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez, pitcher Casey Mize, pitcher Jack Flaherty, pitcher Tarik Skubal, and pitching coach Chris Fetter arrive for Justin Verlander’s introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.25 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, right, shakes hands with president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.26 / 26Detroit Tigers welcome back Justin Verlander press conferenceDetroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, left, shakes hands with president of baseball operations Scott Harris during his introductory press conference at the 34 Club of Joker Marchant Stadium on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.Verlander threw all five of his pitches – fastball, slider, curveball, changeup and sweeper – but more importantly, he repeated his optimal mechanics throughout the bullpen.
"When I was talking to the doctors, it's one of those things where you can push through, which is good," Verlander said, "but when I was really trying to step on it, it was affecting my mechanics a little bit. If it's affecting mechanics, I don't care how much pain you can work through, you don't want to cut off your nose to spite your face."
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The Tigers placed Verlander on the injured list April 4, retroactive to April 1.
He has made just one start for the Tigers in the 2026 season, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout across 3⅔ innings March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"It's taking a little longer than we expected, which is frustrating," Verlander said.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Justin Verlander injury update: Detroit Tigers pitcher makes progress