Justin Verlander is making progress toward potentially pitching one final time in the last year of his playing career. Detroit Tigers manager A. J.

Hinch confirmed the three-time Cy Young Award winner threw as hard as he has in over a month off the mound on Saturday. The right-hander faced hitters in live batting practice without swinging, providing feedback on his pitches. Verlander, 43, is the oldest player in Major League Baseball.

He signed a one-year, $13 million contract to rejoin the Tigers in February and has pitched only once this season, allowing five runs in 3⅔ innings during a 9-6 road loss at Arizona on March 30. The Tigers have planned a two-day celebration of Verlander's career when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates in two weeks during the last series of the regular season. Hinch stated they are aiming for that weekend, calling it an emotional and important moment for the veteran.

Verlander discussed his decision to retire at the end of the season earlier this year, shortly after being added as a Legend Pick to the AL All-Star roster in his 21st season. The right-hander went 183-115 from 2005 to 2017 with the Tigers and helped Detroit reach the World Series in 2006 and 2012. He won his second and third Cy Young Awards in 2019 and 2022 while with the Houston Astros.

Verlander has a career record of 266-159 with a 3.33 ERA in 556 starts playing for the Tigers, Astros, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants. He has 3,554 strikeouts while tossing 26 complete games, including nine shutouts.