Verlander (4-4) allowed three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three batters over five innings against the Red Sox on Saturday. He did not factor into the decision in the Tigers' 11-3 loss.
A groin issue cut Verlander's last outing short, and while he was cleared to return Saturday, it was more of the same from the veteran right-hander. He labored through a 39-pitch third inning and was chased after five as he was unable to put hitters away. "It seems to be the general theme this year," Verlander told Jason Beck of MLB.com. "I need to find a way to get guys to swing and miss or put it in play weakly. Fouling balls off right now, it's killing me. It's extending at-bats. Guys are finding a way to have 10-pitch at-bats, and then if they happen to get on, they're spoiling really good pitches."