“I knew it wasn’t anything major,” Verlander said. “The team was being cautious, and it’s worked out well.”

Manager Jim Leyland agreed.

“It looks like hopefully that rest we gave him has paid dividends, because he’s gotten stronger each time,” Leyland said.

The Tigers drafted Verlander second overall in the June 2004 draft, but it took four months to sign him. Even though the team at one point threatened to give up on discussions, Hall of Famer Al Kaline — now a special assistant to Tigers president Dave Dombrowski — said the franchise never worried about letting a potential star get away.

“We knew he was going to sign, because he wasn’t going to sit out a year,” Kaline said. “And they knew we had an owner who would give them what they wanted because he wants to win.”

Verlander had a 1.29 ERA last season — the lowest among all minor leaguers — at Class-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie. He also got a taste of the majors, going 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA in two spot starts.

He won the final spot in the Detroit rotation during spring training and has been with the Tigers all season, just two years removed from his junior season at Old Dominion.

Slideshow   Week in Sports Pictures A boxing champ celebrates, a kicker regrets, fans mourn a hero, and much more. more photos

“The good thing for him is that he started up here and he’s had a process of being in a lot of situations throughout the year,” said the Twins’ Gardenhire, who marveled at Verlander’s command of his three pitches. “You can see how much it’s helped him being here from Day 1.”

Rogers said Verlander already has cleared one of the toughest hurdles for a rookie pitcher.

“He’s really learning how difficult it is to go through a season feeling good only most of the time,” Rogers said. “He’s probably used to feeling great all of the time.”

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees   CTB: Indians unlikely to deal Wood this offseason   CTB: Mets could be interested in Royals’ Guilllen Complete list of free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz SCORES, SCHEDULES, STANDINGS, STATS Latest baseball videos Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: