Justin Verlander's MRI Results Reveal No Structural Damage, to Be Re-Evaluated

Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander's MRI did not reveal any structural damage and the pitcher will be re-evaluated during the week, per the team.

The Tigers noted his next start is to be determined. Anthony Fenech of the Free Press reported Verlander is currently considered day-to-day.

The former Cy Young winner left after only two innings in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. He gave up two earned runs in a frustrating outing, with the White Sox racking up six hits and Verlander walking three. 

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Verlander first noticed the tightness during the first inning. 

"I felt like we had to protect him a little bit," Ausmus told reporters after the game. "He didn't want to come out. He said he felt like he could keep pitching. But I didn't want him to be protecting his groin and to have something else be affected like his shoulder or something like that. That was my call."

Verlander, who narrowly missed out on winning the Cy Young last season, is off to a rocky start to 2017. He's 4-4 with a 4.63 ERA and 1.46 WHIP, striking out more than a batter-and-a-half less per nine innings than in 2016. 

Verlander's next scheduled start would be during next weekend's series against the Boston Red Sox.