Tigers' Verlander has successful core muscle repair surgery

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Despite an unblemished record of superlative health, Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander underwent successful surgery on Thursday to repair muscles in his core, the team announced.

Verlander, who turns 31 in February, hasn't made a single trip to the disabled list throughout his eight full seasons in the big leagues; the 2011 American League Cy Young award winner has averaged 33 starts and 220 innings per season over that span.

However, the talented hurler endured a slight decrease in velocity this season, a development that could explain a marked bump in earned run average in 2013 from the two seasons prior.