Justin Verlander takes positive step in rehab, hopeful to pitch again before retiring

DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers remain hopeful Justin Verlander can make at least one more appearance before the end of his legendary career, manager A.J. Hinch said Friday.

“I don’t think he wanted to announce his plans and then just play out the season with no time on the field,” Hinch said. “Today is as encouraged as I’ve heard him since his previous injury.”

Verlander, 43, announced plans to retire at the end of the season in July, on the same day MLB named him a Legend selection for this year’s All-Star game. Verlander threw a bullpen in the days after that announcement, but his recovery suffered a setback that kept him in limbo for the past several weeks.

Verlander recently threw off the mound, something he described to Hinch as “almost a bullpen.” Although vague, this represents the most progress Verlander has made in more than a month.

Verlander has been on the injured list since April 4, dealing with hip and hamstring injuries that have limited him to only one start this season. Verlander’s lone outing came March 30 in Arizona, where he surrendered five runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Diamondbacks.

Verlander has twice been scheduled to pitch at Comerica Park but was scratched before those outings because of injury.

He pitched two minor-league rehab games earlier this season, but the hamstring injury prevented his activation.

Despite positive signs, there is no firm plan in place yet for Verlander to pitch in the major leagues. Realistically, it might take the Tigers playing meaningless games for him to appear. The Tigers entered Friday with a 62-71 record, their playoff odds down to 2.3 percent, per FanGraphs.

“I sense that he is building towards something positive and that he’s going to be able to make at least one appearance,” Hinch said. “I’m sure he wants multiple to cap what is going to be a historic career. But right now we just aren’t (at) the point where we can pencil anything in. I would guess even when we can, we’re going to wait an extra time just to not have another setback like we have the last few times.”