Justin Verlander on track to return Tuesday vs. Pirates after missed start

DETROIT -- Justin Verlander is on track to return Tuesday from a back issue that caused him to miss a start.

Detroit manager Brad Ausmus says Verlander will start Tuesday night against Pittsburgh. The right-hander didn't pitch at all this season until June 13 because of an arm problem, and after making two starts, he was scratched from Wednesday's game against Cleveland because of back stiffness.

The 32-year-old Verlander is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA this season. He was able to throw 117 pitches in his most recent outing, a 7-2 loss to the New York Yankees on June 19.

Verlander has been one of baseball's most durable pitchers throughout his career, making at least 30 starts in each of the past nine seasons.