Justin Verlander's return to the mound is hitting a frustrating snag, and the Detroit Tigers are feeling the wait.

The future Hall of Famer is still battling left hip inflammation, and manager A.J. Hinch delivered a sobering update: Verlander isn't symptom-free yet. That means any talk of a rehab assignment is off the table for now.

"We're really just trying to get through the bullpens without symptoms," Hinch explained before Friday's game. "The hope is that he's able to add more and more every session. He's been able to do that slowly… If people are wondering about him, he's pretty frustrated that it's not going faster and doing his best."

That frustration is understandable for a competitor of Verlander's caliber. At 43 years old, he's no stranger to the grind of recovery, but this lingering hip soreness has kept him sidelined throughout April. Until the discomfort fully subsides, the Tigers are taking a cautious approach—no rehab games, no rush.

Verlander is expected to throw another bullpen session in the coming days. It's a step forward, but not a green light. For a pitcher who has built a legacy on durability and dominance, watching from the dugout is clearly wearing on him.

His absence leaves a noticeable hole in Detroit's rotation. Even at this stage of his career, Verlander brings more than just a fastball—he's a veteran presence who stabilizes the staff and commands respect in the clubhouse. The Tigers are holding the fort with their current starters, but there's no denying they miss his leadership on game day.

For now, patience is the name of the game. The focus is on eliminating that soreness and rebuilding strength before taking the next step. There's no firm timeline for his return, and that's the reality of managing a veteran arm through a tricky injury.

As any baseball fan knows, recovery can be unpredictable. But when Verlander does eventually take the mound again, it could provide a major boost for a Tigers team that's eager to see their ace back in action.