By Tommy Birch, Des Moines Register
When the Iowa Cubs take the field at Principal Park in Des Moines, most eyes are on some of the up-and-coming prospects of the Triple-A team. But for at least one night, fans will likely be paying attention to a veteran on the other side.
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters in Chicago on May 31 that future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander is scheduled to make a rehabilitation assignment start for the Toledo Mud Hens at Principal Park on June 2.
Toledo is the Triple-A team of the Tigers. Verlander has been on the injured list since April 1 with left hip inflammation. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 10 but appears to be on the verge of making his return with a stint in Iowa.
It’s a potentially big draw for the Cubs, who will face off against one of the best right-handed pitchers of his generation. The 43-year-old Verlander is a nine-time All-Star, three-time American League Cy Young Award Winner and two-time World Series champion.
He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 2006 and won pitching’s triple crown in 2011. Verlander has spent parts of 21 seasons in the big leagues with stops in Detroit, Houston, San Francisco and with the New York Mets.
Verlander is in his second stint with the Tigers, where he made just one start before landing on the injured list. He has 266 career wins to go along with 3,554 strikeouts.
He isn’t the only player slated to make a rehab appearance Tuesday night. Chicago Cubs super utilityman Matt Shaw is also expected to play for Iowa in the series opener on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:38 p.m.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix from March 30-April 1, 2026. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images.
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