Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones said pitcher Justin Verlander is "way ahead of schedule," according to the Detroit Free Press.
Verlander's outlook has steadily improved the past few weeks. It was initially thought he was questionable for opening day, but has improved enough that team executives think he'll be ready once the year starts.
Verlander had surgery to repair a muscle during the offseason. He posted a 3.46 ERA in 218 1/3 innings last season.