Here's an exciting bit of Detroit Tigers rumors to tide you over until pitchers and catchers report tomorrow--it looks like Tigers ace Justin Verlander is determined to be handed the ball on Opening Day at Comerica Park.
According to ESPN.com's AJ Mass, Verlander's recent abdominal injury, an injury which required surgery, hasn't been a deterrent for the 2011 American League Cy Young award winner.
In fact, Verlander considers the injury a "blessing," as he told reporters earlier today--
"Obviously, you're never happy going under the knife...it could have been the luckiest thing that could have happened to me, having it go when it did."
The Detroit Tigers pitcher pitched off the mound Monday for the first time since his injury, and as Jason Beck of MLB.com wrote earlier today, all signs seem to point to Opening Day as Justin Verlander's first start of the 2014 Major League Baseball regular season:
"Unless he somehow aggravates his injury, Verlander should be ready. Verlander actually threw off a mound on Monday, delivering 20 pitches in his first such session of the winter. Tuesday's throwing session simply confirmed that he had gotten through his mound session without issue."
Justin Verlander had a difficult regular season in 2013 by his own lofty standards, posting his worst ERA since 2008 at 3.46. However, he still pitched 218.1 innings--the 7th straight year that the Detroit Tigers ace has pitched over 200 innings.