Justin Verlander doesn't want a quick sendoff when he takes the mound one more time this Saturday. Verlander, who hasn't pitched since March 30, will return from the 60-day injured list to pitch for the Detroit Tigers against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 43-year-old will call it a career after making his 557th and final start.
If he has his way, Verlander will work as much as he can this weekend. Pierzynski relayed a recent conversation with Verlander about his swan song on Wednesday's "Foul Territory." According to Pierzynski, Verlander said he plans to pitch "literally until my arm falls off." "Because I'm never gonna do this again," Pierzynski recalled Verlander saying. "I'm like, 'Are you gonna throw 100?' He's like, 'If I can make it to 100 pitches, I'm gonna throw 100 pitches.
I literally have nothing to lose, and I don't care what happens.'" Verlander told the Fox broadcaster that he "didn't feel awful" when pitching two simulated innings in preparation for Saturday's start. "I'm gonna go as long as I can and see what happens," Verlander told Pierzynski. Discussing his start earlier this week, Verlander said he wants more than a ceremonial farewell in his final appearance.
He posted a 2.08 ERA in five September starts for the San Francisco Giants last year, so perhaps the three-time Cy Young Award winner can defy Father Time and go off on a high note.
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