Justin Verlander is optimistic that he'll take the ball and start on Saturday after a successful bullpen session as he works his way back from inflammation in his right shoulder that caused him to skip his last start.
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MLB.com reports that Verlander high-fived Tigers manager Brad Ausmus on Thursday morning after his bullpen session as a symbol that his shoulder felt good and he now hopes he can man the mound against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon in one of the games in a double header.
"I would think that the high-five symbolizes 'I'm starting on Saturday,'" Verlander said via the site. "I haven't discussed that with him yet, though, but I think we all knew if everything went according to plan, I'd be starting Saturday. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be."
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Verlander threw 35 pitches in the bullpen Thursday ahead of the Tigers 1-0 victory in the matinee series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Verlander said afterward that he experienced no issues and expects to be good to go on Saturday.
"It was pretty much everything I wanted today," Verlander said. "No issues. Everything felt good."
Verlander is hoping to be able to avoid the disabled list as he has been able to get his arm loose over the past few days, and Ausmus indicated he likely won't need to limit his pitches if he does get the start on Saturday.
"If we have a seven- or eight-run lead, it might be a time to not push it," Verlander said. "But if I feel good and it's a tight game, then it's not like I was on the DL and need to work my way back, and do a pitch count. I mean, I missed one start. It's not that big of a deal."
Verlander, 31, hasn't been his usual Cy Young Award-winning self this season, pitching to a 10-11 record along with a 4.76 ERA and 118 strikeouts.
Verlander is a six-time All-Star and the 2011 American League Cy Young Award winner and Most Valuable Player, so despite not having his best stuff this season, his return will provide a boost for Detroit.
The Tigers (69-56) sit in second place in the AL Central, a half-game behind the division-leading Kansas City Royals after Thursday's win and they are in possession of the second and final wild-card spot in the AL.
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