Detroit Tigers: Verlander MRI, Social media & Rendon update

While the Detroit Tigers await the results of pitcher Justin Verlander’s third MRI, the ace pitcher didn’t wait to respond to some of the harsh words he received from “haters” on social media.

On Monday, the Tigers off day, Verlander posted a picture of his girlfriend, Kate Upton, and himself out in downtown Chicago, enjoying dinner. Apparently, some fans felt the right-hander should be rehabbing his triceps rather out on the town.

Let’s just say, Verlander didn’t take too kindly to those opinions.

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In all seriousness, though, Tigers fans are “itching” to hear positive news from the MRI, just like Verlander is “itching” to return to the mound.

As far as other injury news, relief pitcher Bruce Rondon will return to Detroit on Friday to continue his rehab. Rondon is recovering from biceps tendinitis and has not pitched this season.

Tigers await word from doctors on Verlander’s MRI – The Detroit News, Lynn Henning

"Verlander underwent a third MRI Tuesday in the Tigers training room at U.S. Cellular. The Tigers had received a preliminary analysis late Tuesday, but Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said they would wait for input from doctors before revealing any information on Wednesday.Verlander expected the diagnosis to be in step with earlier exams and, he said, with three different medical opinions that have all agreed his strained triceps is simply taking longer to heal than was first projected."

Justin Verlander after poking fun at critics on Instagram post: What do these people expect? – Chris Iott, MLive.com

"In the post, he had fun with those fans who respond to his posts by saying he should be rehabilitating his arm instead of doing whatever he is doing in each of his photos that he posts on social media. The caption read: “Dear haters… I have heard you. Therefore since I have done all of the rehab I can possibly do already I shall not move from my bed nor enjoy my life whatsoever for the rest of the day so you think I’m trying.”On Tuesday, he spoke a little about it.“Every time I read them, I’m like, ‘What do you want?’ ” Verlander said of the comments. “I reacted to it in my head with comedy. … What do these people expect? I can’t be attached to the machine for 24 hours. If I could, I would.”Verlander continued.“The sad thing about social media nowadays is the people who have a negative voice speak out more,” he said. “The people that are positive, they just kind of go about their business. … The people who are big and bad because they’re behind their keyboards or their phones, they’re the ones who like to talk.”"

Detroit Tigers’ Bruce Rondon returning to Detroit to continue rehab – George Sipple, Detroit Free Press

"Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said right-handed pitcher Bruce Rondon would return to Detroit on Friday to continue his rehab. Rondon hasn’t pitched yet for the Tigers this season due to biceps tendinitis.Rondon missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He has been rehabbing in Lakeland, Fla., the spring training home of the Tigers.“We just want to have him in sight when he’s working out,” Ausmus said. “He’s continuing his treatment until he gets up (to Detroit). He leaves there Thursday.”"

Next: MLB Power Rankings 2015: Week 5 Detroit Tigers fall to No. 2