Justin Verlander opened his spring schedule with two shutout innings for the Tigers against the Braves on Saturday.
Verlander threw 42 pitches, according to the unofficial count of Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. He faced nine batters, allowing one hit and two walks, while striking out two.
Verlander devoted the start to working on his breaking pitches. "I had pretty good results with it," he said.
He's been paying special attention to his curve this spring. "I've been pleased with it so far, and I was pleased with it today," he told Fenech.
Verlander wasn't as pleased with his fastball, which topped out at 94 MPH, saying it "was all right."