Tigers’ Verlander no ordinary rookie

Slow isn’t a word often used to describe 23-year-old Justin Verlander.

The Detroit Tigers’ rookie right-hander wasted little time stunning American League hitters this season with a fastball that regularly clocks above 100 mph, a biting curveball that registers 88-92 mph and a changeup that is far from dawdling at 75-83 mph.

The lanky 6-5, 200-pounder has established himself in the majors less than two years after signing with the Tigers, going 9-4 with a 3.39 earned-run average, earning the American League Rookie of the Month award for May and positioning himself to become the league’s first rookie 20-game winner since the New York Yankees’ Bob Grim in 1954.

Verlander shocked Oakland in his first start when his 98th pitch registered 101 mph. After he earned his first shutout, against Kansas City in May, Royals first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz told reporters, “My last at-bat he was 99 on the black. Goodness gracious. That’s as good a stuff as I’ve seen.”

Baseball lifer and Tigers manager Jim Leyland was equally staggered after watching his pitcher dust off the Royals.

“I’ve never had a starter throwing 99 in the ninth,” Leyland, 61, says. “He’s a talented kid. With the equipment he has, he should have a nice future.”

Verlander is just concerned about the present.

“This has all happened very quickly, and I didn’t expect this,” he says. “I know I’m not established or anything. I have a lot to learn, and that’s my main concern. But I have a good jumpstart on it.”

Smoltz should make start

Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz expects to make his next scheduled start Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

Smoltz had a bullpen session on Sunday, two days after he strained his right groin. The right-hander was hurt when he followed through on a pitch and took a couple of steps toward the first base line to pursue Damon Hollins’ slow dribbler in the second inning of Friday night’s game against Tampa Bay.

“I’m confident that Wednesday will go fine,” Smoltz said.

Sweeney’s rehab delayed

Mike Sweeney’s rehab assignment has been pushed back by the Kansas City Royals.

Sweeney, a five-time All-Star who has been on the disabled list since May 2 with a bulging disc in his back, was scheduled to report to Double-A Wichita on Monday.

After taking batting practice and running the bases Sunday, Sweeney said those plans have been changed following a meeting with manager Buddy Bell.

“He still feels there’s a couple of things he wants to implement into my rehab program before I get back to playing,” Sweeney said. “We’ll take a few more days and then get after it.”

Clearing the bases

San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds left Sunday’s game against the Oakland Athletics after the second inning with irritation in his left knee. He’s listed as day to day. … St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder has rotator cuff inflammation and irritation in his left shoulder, an MRI revealed. No timetable has been set for his return. … The Baltimore Orioles signed right-hander Russ Ortiz, hoping that a reunion with pitching coach Leo Mazzone rekindles the success that made Ortiz a 20-game winner with the Atlanta Braves. Ortiz was designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 13.