Justin Verlander has sore shoulder, will probably miss a start

Justin Verlander’s sore right shoulder probably will force him to miss at least one start, the latest setback for the reeling Detroit Tigers.

Detroit Manager Brad Ausmus is thrilled, however, the news isn’t worse. Ausmus said an MRI on Verlander’s shoulder Tuesday revealed inflammation “in a number of different areas” but no major structural damage.

“It’s not a surgical injury and as of right now it doesn’t seem like he’ll have to go on the DL,” Ausmus said.

Verlander left Monday night’s 11-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates after laboring through a first inning in which he surrendered five runs. He complained of discomfort in the shoulder afterward and added he “didn’t feel great.”

Detroit, which led the AL Central by 7 1/2 games a month ago, fell into second place on Monday night behind streaking Kansas City.

Etc.

Cleveland Indians outfielder David Murphy will miss four to five weeks with a strained right oblique muscle. Murphy, who had been bothered by soreness on his right side, was injured on a swing Saturday and left the game. Murphy is hitting .262 with seven home runs and 55 RBIs. ... New York Mets right-hander Jeremy Hefner’s recovery from Tommy John surgery took a turn for the worse when he was diagnosed with a right forearm fracture and a reinjury of a ligament in his right elbow. General Manager Sandy Alderson said Tuesday that Hefner will decide what course of action to take within the next week. ... The Kansas City Royals placed left-handed reliever Scott Downs on the 15-day disabled with a stiff neck. The Royals had to open a roster spot with the arrival of Josh Willingham, acquired in a trade Monday with Minnesota. Downs, the former Angel who had not pitched since Aug. 2, is 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 12 relief appearances with the Royals. ... Tampa Bay Rays minor league outfielder Joshua Sale has been suspended 50 games without pay after a second failed test for a drug of abuse. Sale was a first-round draft pick in 2010 and plays for the Class-A Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League.