Detroit Tigers Injury Update: Zach McKinstry rehab assignment, Justin Verlander bullpen, Will Vest

The Detroit Tigers could soon get one versatile piece back, but two veteran pitchers remain question marks as the club opens a weekend series against the Texas Rangers.

Utility man Zach McKinstry took another step toward returning Thursday night, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his first rehab appearance with Single-A Lakeland. While the stat line itself wasn’t notable, simply getting back into game action was an encouraging development after McKinstry missed the past two weeks with left hip and abdominal inflammation.

Detroit appears to be easing him back carefully. McKinstry did not play a full game Thursday, and the Tigers will likely want him to handle a complete workload before activating him from the injured list. Still, barring any setbacks, his return to the active roster does not appear far away.

McKinstry’s versatility has been valuable for Detroit this season, especially with injuries continuing to test the club’s depth across the diamond. His ability to move between the infield and outfield gives A.J. Hinch flexibility in both lineup construction and late-game matchups.

Tigers still waiting for clarity on timelines for Justin Verlander, Will Vest

Meanwhile, Justin Verlander is progressing more slowly in his recovery from left hip inflammation. According to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, Verlander is still not fully asymptomatic and therefore has not yet been cleared to begin a rehab assignment.

The 43-year-old is expected to throw another bullpen session soon and is reportedly trending in a positive direction overall, but lingering soreness continues to delay the next step in the process. Until Verlander is pain-free, the Tigers are unlikely to risk putting him into game situations.

Verlander has been sidelined for the entirety of April, and there remains no clear timetable for his return to Detroit’s rotation. Given both his age and the nature of the injury, the Tigers are expected to remain cautious rather than rush the future Hall of Famer back.

Hinch also acknowledged that reliever Will Vest is “not at 100 percent” physically, though he declined to elaborate on the issue. Vest has not pitched since Sunday, leaving his availability against Texas uncertain.

The right-hander has struggled to begin the 2026 season, posting a 6.17 ERA with 13 strikeouts and six walks across 11.2 innings in 13 appearances. Even so, Vest remains an important arm in Detroit’s bullpen mix, particularly in middle and late innings.

For a Tigers team trying to navigate both injuries and an increasingly demanding schedule, getting McKinstry back soon would provide a needed boost while the club waits for clarity on Verlander and Vest.

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