Tigers' Verlander does light tossing, says triceps 'feels better'

The Detroit Tigers are considering pushing Justin Verlander's first start of the season back a few days while the veteran right-hander recovers from a cramp in his right tricep.

Verlander, who played catch briefly Sunday morning, said he's experiencing general improvement in his arm after leaving Friday's start against the Toronto Blue Jays in the third inning with what the team is describing as a cramp. 

Despite the encouraging results, manager Brad Ausmus said the team is taking a cautious approach with the 32-year-old pitcher. He said Verlander still felt tightness in the area following the light tossing and conceded that the club has yet to rule out the possibility he suffered a muscle strain.

"He felt better today," Ausmus told reporters Sunday. "Not completely better, but he feels better than he did yesterday."

Verlander, whose streak of seven straight Opening Day starts was snapped earlier this month when Ausmus gave the assignment to David Price, is tentatively scheduled to make his final spring start Thursday. 

The Tigers, however, are still considering whether to skip that start and could even push back his regular-season debut by four days to allow him additional time to recover.

"With the off day (April 7), we could conceivably pitch him on Sunday (April 12) against Cleveland, so he'd get those extra four days," Ausmus said. "So we could give him a little extra time if necessary. We're not there yet."