The Tigers are once again grappling with injury woes as Casey Mize finds himself back on the 15-day injured list due to right adductor inflammation. This setback, retroactive to May 28, comes after what has been a promising season for the former first overall pick. To fill the gap in the roster, reliever Beau Brieske has been activated from the 60-day injured list, a move that necessitated transferring Brant Hurter to the 60-day IL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Mize’s season has been a rollercoaster, with right groin discomfort casting a shadow over an otherwise stellar year. After an adductor strain in late April sidelined him for about three weeks, Mize made a comeback on May 16, impressing in his initial starts.
However, during Wednesday’s game, he had to exit after four innings due to what seemed like a new groin issue. Fortunately, the current diagnosis points to inflammation rather than a more severe strain, suggesting that his time away from the mound might not be extensive.
Still, it’s a frustrating pause for both Mize and the Tigers, especially considering his pivotal role in the rotation amidst Tarik Skubal’s absence.
Mize has been a standout performer, boasting a 2.27 ERA and a career-best 26.5% strikeout rate over 47 2/3 innings. His performance has been All-Star caliber, and if not for the health hiccups, he’d be a shoo-in for a second consecutive All-Star nod. As he approaches free agency, Mize remains a hot commodity, even with these minor injury setbacks adding to his career’s injury narrative.
The Tigers, currently holding a 22-35 record and sharing the American League’s basement with the Angels, face the White Sox this weekend. Mize’s absence won’t disrupt the current rotation plans, with Troy Melton, Framber Valdez, and Keider Montero slated to start the series.
However, they will need a new arm for Monday’s opener in Tampa Bay. Ty Madden, recovering from a forearm contusion, is a strong candidate.
He recently pitched 4 1/3 innings in a rehab outing with Triple-A Toledo and might be ready to step up after just one minor league appearance.
As for the bullpen, Brieske’s return gives manager A.J. Hinch a nine-man bullpen to deploy this weekend.
Brieske has been sidelined all season with a left adductor strain, following a challenging 2023-24 season marred by ankle and forearm troubles. Yet, he proved to be a solid middle-relief option during those years.
Meanwhile, Hurter’s battle with lumbar spine inflammation has landed him on the IL, with his transfer ruling him out until at least mid-July. Despite average strikeout and walk stats, the towering 6’6” lefty has managed a commendable 2.84 ERA over 25 1/3 innings, showing his resilience and potential on the mound.
For the Tigers, the road ahead is about navigating these injuries while maintaining competitive play, a challenge they seem ready to tackle head-on.