Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander delivers a pitch during the first inning Monday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

(AP Photo)

PITTSBURGH -- The Detroit Tigers got the best news possible regarding Justin Verlander.

The MRI that Verlander had Tuesday morning in Detroit showed no structural damage, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Tuesday afternoon. Verlander is extremely likely to miss at least one start, but it is unlikely that the issue will require him to spend time on the disabled list.

"The initial news is very good," Ausmus said.

Head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said the MRI showed inflammation, but nothing beyond the normal wear and tear he would expect to see in Verlander's shoulder.

Rand said Verlander would be assessed further Wednesday before a plan will be set in place moving forward, but that plan will certainly include rest. Ausmus would not fully rule out Verlander for a start Sunday at Comerica Park, but he said he would be "shocked" if Verlander made that start. Robbie Ray, who is scheduled to pitch tonight against Pittsburgh, will almost certainly make that start.

Verlander left the game Monday night after allowing five runs on four hits and two walks in just one inning of work. Ausmus and Rand visited Verlander on the mound eight batters into the game, but Verlander remained in the game before being removed after laying down a bunt in the top of the second inning.

Verlander has never been on the disabled list in his 10-year career and has averaged 33 starts per season over the past eight seasons.

Verlander did not want to come out of the game when he did Monday night and tried to convince Ausmus that continuing to pitch would not cause him further physical damage. Verlander said after the game that, in hindsight, Ausmus made the right decision to remove him.

Verlander did admit concern about the MRI he had Tuesday.

"Obviously, I'm concerned," he said. "You've got to get an MRI, that's never a good sign. It's the first time in my career. Every other time I've had an MRI it's been for a good reason, for the team physical. Now it's a little bit different.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit nervous. I've never been through this before."

Verlander is 10-11 with a 4.76 ERA this season and never really did return to form after undergoing offseason core muscle surgery. He said Monday night that the shoulder issue has been lingering "for a while" but refused to answer when asked to define what "a while" meant.

Verlander did directly answer a question about how his stuff was Monday night.

"The worst it's been in my career," Verlander said. "You saw it."

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