Justin Verlander.jpg

Justin Verlander threw five shutout innings Friday and has one more start to make prior to opening day at Comerica Park.

(AP Photo)

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- As several of his teammates head to the sidelines with injuries, Justin Verlander continues to work his way back from one.

He looks pretty good right now.

Verlander struck out four and threw five shutout innings Friday afternoon as the Detroit Tigers earned a 3-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Verlander has made steady progress this spring since undergoing offseason core muscle surgery. He was asked about the injury troubles that have plagued the Tigers, who announced Thursday that Jose Iglesias is likely to miss the entire season and Friday that Bruce Rondon will not be back until 2015.

"We've had a little bit of the injury bug, but great teams find a way to grind through it," Verlander said. "I consider us a great team."

Verlander's final pitching line: 5IP, 5H, 0R, 0ER, 1BB, 4SO. He threw 84 pitches, 58 for strikes. Verlander has one more start prior to opening day.

Game notes

-- The Tigers got on the board in the fourth inning. Ian Kinsler walked to lead off the inning, then scored when Ezequiel Carrera lashed a double into the corner in right field. Carrera moved up to third base on a wild pitch that nearly hit Miguel Cabrera, then scored on an infield grounder by Victor Martinez to make it 2-0. The hit by Carrera was the first of the game for the Tigers.

-- The Braves loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning against Verlander, but he got B.J. Upton to hit into a forceout to end the inning and escape without allowing a run.

-- The Tigers added to their lead with a single run in the eighth inning. Austin Jackson doubled with one out, then scored on a two-out single by Hernan Perez.

-- Phil Coke allowed one hit in one inning of work in relief of Verlander. Former Tigers catcher Gerald Laird singled off Coke, who retired the other three batters he faced.

-- As of Thursday, outfielder Rajai Davis (hamstring) was scheduled to start Friday against the Braves. But he was scratched from the lineup. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said it was simply a precautionary measure and that Davis should be back in the starting lineup Sunday or Monday.

-- Anibal Sanchez (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch Monday in a minor league game in Lakeland. Rick Porcello will start for the Tigers in their game at Bradenton against the Pirates.

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