Justin Verlander played catch briefly Sunday morning for the first time since leaving a start with a cramp in his right tricep, but it remained unclear when the Tigers ace would pitch again.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Verlander did some light tossing at the team's spring training camp and still felt "a little bit tight," but otherwise reported some general improvement.

"He felt better today," Ausmus said before the Tigers' game Sunday with the Phillies. "Not completely better, but he feels better than he did yesterday."