Justin Verlander returns to Detroit in his first spring start.

Justin Verlander made his first spring training start for the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, throwing 50 pitches and speaking about the nostalgia of returning to the organization where he began.

Justin Verlander made his first spring training start for the Detroit Tigers on Friday in Lakeland, Fla., taking the mound at Joker Marchant Stadium. It was his first appearance in a Tigers uniform since Aug. 30, 2017 — 3,110 days — and he spoke about the emotional pull of returning to the place where his career began. The 43-year-old threw 50 pitches and noted the chance to enjoy moments he once tried to ignore. The outing included some mixed results on the field, and Verlander acknowledged uncertainty about how much longer he will play. Key details: - Verlander threw 50 pitches in the start and topped out at 95.4 mph on his four-seam fastball. - He recorded a 43 percent whiff rate with his slider during the outing. - He gave up a two-run home run to Boston's Kristian Campbell, and an ABS replay challenge changed his first strikeout into a walk. - This was his first spring appearance for the Tigers since Aug. 30, 2017 (reported as 3,110 days) at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. - Verlander is 43 years old, is on a one-year contract, and said he does not know how much longer he will play. Summary: Verlander's start served as a symbolic homecoming and showed moments that recall his past effectiveness while also reflecting the practical limits of a one-year return. Undetermined at this time.