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Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander left his start early Monday night with a shoulder injury, but the news wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been after his MRI and evaluation results Tuesday were revealed to reporters (such as Chris Iott and Jason Beck).
Through those reporters, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus reports that there is inflammation in several different spots in Verlander's shoulder, but the MRI found no structural damage. The expectation is that Verlander will miss at least one spot, with Robbie Ross getting the nod in his turn.
Further, regarding Verlander's inflammation, the head athletic trainer, Kevin Rand, told reporters that the inflammation was normal wear and tear for pitchers.
So, yes, I'd have to consider that very good news for the Tigers.
Verlander, 31, is 10-11 with a 4.76 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 118 strikeouts this season. He's allowed the most hits in the AL and most earned runs in the majors. His 6.7 K/9 rate is his worst since 2006. Some are blaming his noticable velocity drop, which could plausibly be tied to the shoulder inflammation.
With Anibal Sanchez on the disabled list, the Tigers will be missing forty percent of their rotation until Verlander returns.
The Tigers have lost five of their last six and trail Kansas City by a half-game in the AL Central.
