<P> On January 9, 2014, Verlander underwent core muscle surgery . The Tigers projected that Verlander might miss Opening Day in the aftermath of his surgery but he eventually recovered just in time for when pitchers and catchers reported to training camp in February, 2014 . On March 16, Tiger manager Brad Ausmus announced that Verlander would make his seventh consecutive opening - day start on March 31 . On April 12, Verlander got the first two hits of his major league career during a 6--2 road win over the San Diego Padres . This snapped a career 0 - for - 26 string . </P> <P> Verlander struggled in the first half of 2014 . His strikeouts were down to 6.8 per nine innings pitched, opposed to an average of 9.2 over the last five years . His ERA and WHIP in the season's first half were also elevated to 4.71 and 1.49 respectively . Verlander was not named to the AL All - Star team for the first time since 2008, snapping a streak of five straight appearances . </P> <P> On August 11, in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Verlander allowed five runs, four earned, on four hits in only one inning . Verlander left the game with right shoulder soreness, in his shortest outing of his career . His previous shortest outing was 1 ⁄ innings in 2008 . Verlander would miss his next start, the first time that had occurred in his career . </P> <P> Justin fared somewhat better in the second half of 2014 . His season ERA and WHIP dropped to 4.54 and 1.398, respectively . He won his final three decisions to finish with a 15--12 record, and the Tigers won the game in 6 of his last 8 starts . Justin's strikeout rate remained low, however, as he finished with 159 strikeouts and a 6.9 K / 9 IP rate, both the lowest since his 2006 rookie season . </P>

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