Justin Verlander to Miss Weeks with Hamstring Strain

Veteran pitcher Justin Verlander’s highly anticipated homecoming with the Detroit Tigers has been delayed once more, this time by a significant left hamstring strain. The 43-year-old right-hander, who was scheduled to start Sunday’s game at Comerica Park, suffered the injury during a bullpen session in Houston on Wednesday. Manager A.J. Hinch announced on Friday that Verlander will be sidelined for weeks, not days, requiring a full rehabilitation process.

The hamstring issue is a new and separate setback from the left hip inflammation that has kept Verlander on the injured list since early April. He had been progressing through a rehab program that included simulated games and two starts for Triple-A Toledo, with his return to the major league rotation targeted for June. The planned Sunday start against the Chicago White Sox would have marked his first appearance at Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform since August 30, 2017, just before he was traded to the Houston Astros.

Verlander expressed deep frustration with the consecutive injuries, stating that his hip had been feeling better before the hamstring problem arose. He told reporters the situation was unfortunate and that it...