Justin Verlander will return to the Detroit Tigers' rotation on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox in Detroit. Manager A.J. Hinch announced the move after the pitcher completed a simulated game and rehab starts.
The 43-year-old Verlander signed a one-year free-agent deal with the Tigers and made one Major League start this season before going on the injured list April 4 with left hip inflammation. He threw rehab outings for Triple-A Toledo on June 2 and June 10.
Hinch said Verlander is ready for the next step after a four-inning simulated game Monday at Daikin Park. "We had a couple rehab games; we had the session [on Monday]. It’s time to challenge him even more with a game," Hinch said.
Verlander has 266 career wins and 3,554 strikeouts. He will face the White Sox after Tarik Skubal starts Friday and Troy Melton is a possible starter Saturday if his back tightness improves.