DETROIT — Tigers ace Justin Verlander had muscle repair surgery Thursday after injuring himself last month during offseason conditioning.
Dr. Bill Meyers in Philadelphia operated on Verlander, who is expected to need six weeks of rehab before being evaluated again. The first workout for Detroit’s pitchers and catchers at spring training is scheduled for Feb. 14. The first spring training game is Feb. 25 against Florida Southern.
“We fully anticipate Justin to participate in spring training and be in a position to compete at the beginning of the 2014 season,” general manager Dave Dombrowski said in a statement.
The team did not identify the “core muscle” that was repaired but called the surgery successful. Verlander turns 31 on Feb. 20. The Tigers said Verlander hurt himself at the end of December.
Verlander went 13-12 last year with a 3.46 ERA for the AL Central champions. He has been Detoit’s opening day starter for the last six seasons, the longest active streak by any player with one team, according to STATS. If Verlander isn’t at full strength for Detroit’s regular-season opener against Kansas City on March 31, the Tigers do have Max Scherzer, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.
One of Verlander’s biggest assets is his durability. The right-hander has thrown at least 200 innings in seven consecutive seasons.
Verlander’s surgery was performed by the same doctor who operated on Detroit teammate Miguel Cabrera after the slugger was limited down the stretch last season by a tear in his groin.
Two years ago, the Tigers lost designated hitter Victor Martinez for the entire 2012 season after an offseason injury. Martinez hurt his knee.
Verlander’s injury does not appear to be nearly as serious, but the Tigers now enter the 2014 season with two of their biggest stars coming off surgery.
