DETROIT, Mich. — The 2015 season is starting with a first for Justin Verlander — and not a good one.
The 32-year-old right-hander will open the year on the disabled list for the Detroit Tigers — the first trip to the DL for Verlander in his career.
The 2011 American League MVP and Cy Young winner left his final spring training start on March 27 because of tightness in his right tricep — and was scratched from his final scheduled Grapefruit League start on Thursday early in the week.
Verlander had a down year in 2014, going 15-12 with a 4.54 E.R.A. and 159 strikeouts.
Former West Michigan Whitecap Bruce Rondon joins Verlander on the Tigers disabled list to open the season.
Detroit opens 2015 at home against Minnesota on April 6 at 1:00 p.m.
