Tigers notes: JV feels good, likely to pitch vs. Indians

CHICAGO – Brad Ausmus hadn't talked to Justin Verlander.

He had just sent him a text message, Ausmus said in the manager's office at U.S. Cellular Field on Sunday morning, but the Tigers' right-hander hadn't yet responded with an update on how he felt after his second rehabilitation start.

"We gotta see how he feels," Ausmus said.

And after the Tigers' series win over the White Sox, Verlander felt good, Ausmus reported.

"He felt better today than he did after his first rehab start," he said.

That news almost assuredly means Verlander will make his season debut against the Indians this weekend.

Which day? "I'll let you know when we finalize that," Ausmus said.

As of Sunday evening, the only thing certain about the upcoming rotation was that right-handers Anibal Sanchez and Shane Greene would start the two-game series against the Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Verlander pitched 52/ 3 solid innings in his second rehabilitation start with Triple-A Toledo on Saturday, allowing one run and four hits with nine strikeouts. He threw 93 pitches in the Mud Hens' 6-1 loss to Columbus.

"It sounds like Ver threw well," Ausmus said after the Tigers won Saturday night. "I just read the report that he felt good, he felt strong."

If he felt good Sunday, the only question remaining is where the Tigers would slot him in the rotation. With two off days this week, they will have two pitchers starting on six days' rest.

One of those pitchers would be either Verlander or left-handed ace David Price, who pitched a complete game Saturday night. That pitcher would start Saturday against Cleveland.

The other would be Alfredo Simon, who won Sunday's series finale against the White Sox. He would start Sunday.

Either Verlander or Price would start the weekend series against the Indians on Friday night on five days' rest.

Which one remains to be seen.

■ In the minors: Right-handed reliever Bruce Rondon was rocked Saturday night in Toledo to the tune of four runs, four hits, three walks and a strikeout.

But Ausmus insisted he wasn't concerned with Rondon's performance in the minor leagues, only his health.

"I don't get overly concerned about the numbers," he said. "Just about him feeling healthy, and then we'll decide what the next step is once he's healthy."

Rondon threw 39 pitches over one-plus inning. He had been scheduled to go two.

"We'll make a decision at some point soon," Ausmus said. "But we still have to make sure he's healthy and feels all right today and tomorrow."

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.



