​Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander appeared to take another step closer to pitching in Comerica Park before the end of this season.Verlander, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, pitched off the mound in Comerica Park on Saturday, Sept. 12, while facing batters.None of the batters took any swings – they stood in the box only to simulate the strike zone.Verlander hit 93 mph; and in many ways, he looked like classic Verlander. Incredibly intense. Blurting out frustration when he was upset with a pitch. And he was able to get instant feedback, asking the batters to give their feedback on what certain pitches looked like to them.From behind home plate, the ball had an encouraging zip to it.When he finished, Verlander walked off the mound and gave high-fives to a group of teammates and coaches who were watching. Verlander did not speak to the media. But if one could judge by body language, he looked pleased overall, breaking into a smile.More: Justin Verlander not worried about arm at this point: ‘Who cares? Break it or try to’The next hurdle will happen on Sunday: how does he feel and recover from this step?The Tigers have not said when Verlander might pitch, although it seems likely that they are hoping for the final weekend of the regular season. The Tigers are holding a two-day celebration of Verlander’s career when they play the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26th, at Comerica Park. The celebration includes two giveaways – a Verlander bobblehead for Friday’s game and a long-sleeved hooded jersey for Saturday’s game.Obviously, any Verlander plan to pitch in Comerica would have to be written in pencil because of the threat of injury. This is literally going day to day.Verlander, 43, made one start this season on March 30 (against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix) before hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain. The rehab has come with several setbacks, and the veteran righty eventually announced his plan to retire at the end of the season.“I wouldn’t go out there hurt,” Verlander said on Sept.4 in Cleveland. “I wouldn’t just go out to come off. You know, if I can’t get out there healthy, I don’t want to do it. But if I can get back to healthy and can do it, then you know that’s where I think the thought of maybe accelerating the timeline to maybe get back out there.”Tigers manager A.J. Hinch watched Verlander pitch Saturday.“The goal is for him to pitch,” Hinch said in Cleveland on Sept.4. “And the goal is for him to be competitive and not just throw a pitch. He wants to be good, and we certainly need him healthy to make that happen.”Jack Flaherty ‘eager’ to return from injuryAfter Verlander was done, Jack Flaherty pitched a two-inning simulated game.“I felt really good the way the ball came out,” Flaherty said. “Especially the way I was able to execute and throw strikes and try to recreate as much of an intensity as we can in that in that setting.”Flaherty had yet to se