Verlander remains in limbo after throwing session postponed

Verlander remains in limbo after throwing session postponed

Published Apr. 19, 2015 6:06 p.m. ET

DETROIT -- For now, Justin Verlander will remain in limbo.

Verlander, who cut short a simulated game after three innings and 45 pitches Wednesday, did not do long toss Sunday and might not for the immediate future.

"I think we're going to wait until he really feels good," pitching coach Jeff Jones said. "I don't think he felt bad today, but I think we're trying to wait until everything gets out of there, and then we'll go from there."

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Verlander's problems began March 27 in Dunedin, Fla., when he left the game with two outs in the third inning because of a right triceps strain.

Although the injury was not considered serious, the soreness has lingered to the point where the Tigers decided going slower was the best plan.

"He might've been able to pitch through it at the start of the season, but we didn't want to take that chance," Jones said. "I think if we would've taken that chance and he hurt it worse, we would've been kicking ourselves. So we're just trying to get it totally out of there before we go forward."

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said there are still no plans to send Verlander for any tests.

Kyle Lobstein has filled in for Verlander and will make his second start Tuesday against the New York Yankees.

"I'd rather have him back, but you certainly don't want to rush him, where it's going to cost him more time than it should, or cause the injury to recur," Ausmus said.

Obviously the fact that the Tigers are in first place in the Central Division with their 10-2 start has helped but Verlander is not enjoying his first career DL stint.

"It's very difficult for him," Jones said. "He's such a competitor and wants to be out there and help the team. It's never easy for anyone, really."

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