CLEVELAND — The Detroit Tigers got another strong pitching performance from David Price and won another game over the Cleveland Indians. But following the game, manager Brad Ausmus announced a change in the Tigers’ pitching plans for the third and final game of the series Wednesday afternoon.
The Tigers scratched Justin Verlander from that scheduled start due to mid-back soreness and recalled right-hander Buck Farmer from Triple-A Toledo to make the start Wednesday vs. Cleveland.
Ausmus said Verlander’s injury dates back to his last start Friday, against the Yankees in New York.
“He felt it in the first inning in New York,” Ausmus said. “He was able to pitch with it but it made getting loose each time harder and harder.”
The Tigers are not placing Verlander on the disabled list because as of now his status is day-to-day, according to Ausmus.
“It’s not debilitating, Ausmus said. “He just aggravated it a little. He could probably pitch with it, but there’s no reason for us to risk it.”
Ausmus said it’s uncertain when Verlander will make his next start. “We want for him to get rid of it (the back soreness) before he starts again,” said Ausmus. “We thought it might go away after the New York game, but it’s lingered, so we want to be cautious with it and make sure it’s gone before he makes his next start.”
Verlander spent the first two months of the season on the disabled list with a strained triceps. He has made two starts since being activated and was 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA in those two games.