Tigers' Verlander not worried after early exit feeling 'crampy'

Justin Verlander left with cramping in his right triceps Friday during the third inning of the Detroit Tigers' 4-1 rain-shortened loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

The game was called in the bottom of the fifth.

Verlander will be evaluated Saturday but fully expects to make his next scheduled start. He walked off the field soon after he called team trainers to the mound.

"I don't think I'm injured," Verlander said. "The only concern I have is if it would linger. Just felt crampy."

Kyle Ryan replaced Verlander, who allowed one run and one hit over 2 2/3 innings.

"Not overly concerned," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He said it felt like more of a cramp than a strain. It doesn't mean we're out of the woods. It's not as concerning of an area."

Verlander believes not drinking enough water before the game and a further arm extension from his revised mechanics may have contributed.

"I've never felt anything like that before, but it doesn't seem like anything serious," Verlander said. "I kind of sensed what it was."

Before the injury, Verlander had his fastball reach 96 mph in what Ausmus said was the "best" he'd seen him pitch. "I thought that was the best my stuff looked in a long time," said Verlander.