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Tigers' Justin Verlander jabs haters with sarcasm: 'What do these people expect?'

By Marilyn Malara
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander went a little wry on social media this week amid online hate regarding life after injury. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander went a little wry on social media this week amid online hate regarding life after injury. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

DETROIT, May 6 (UPI) -- Justin Verlander has had enough of the hate for continuing his life while on the disabled list.

He posted a wry Instagram response that could have made even the hardest critics rethink themselves -- or at least respect the player's defensive humor.

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"Dear haters ... I have heard you. Therefore since I have done all of the rehab I can possibly do already I shall not move from my bed nor enjoy my life whatsoever for the rest of the day so you think I'm trying," he wrote alongside the hashtags "#yourwelcome," "#hateonhaters" and "#lovetherealfans."

Initial hostility toward the player arose online after paparazzi captured him with girlfriend Kate Upton seemingly enjoying life away from baseball.

"C'mon, what do these people expect?" Detroit News reports the irritated pitcher asked ahead of Tuesday night's game against Chicago. "I can't be attached to a machine for 24 hours."

"It's social media, and people with a negative voice speak out, while positive people go about their business," he said.

Verlander has been on the disabled list all season after sustaining a strain in his right tricep in March. What was thought to be a cramp escalated to inflammation, and Michigan Live reports results from his third MRI, which may determine whether he can return to the game, are expected to be released Wednesday.

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