The news for Detroit Tigers pitchers Casey Mize is still up in the air, though we do have an update for reliever Kenley Jansen.
Both Mize and Jansen suffered right groin injuries in the Tigers’ 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, May 27. For Mize, it was a reaggravation of a previous injury that had him miss the first half of May before returning for a May 16 start against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Though Mize is still waiting on his MRI result, he was seen walking normally outside the Tigers clubhouse, with Tigers manager A.J. Hinch projecting a little bit of optimism for his starter.
“I know Casey was potentially going to go out and play a little bit of catch, so that’s the best news I’ve heard,” he said before offering a caveat. “I don’t know what it means, or whether that’s a step in the right direction.”
Mize has been arguably the team’s best pitcher this season, leading Tigers starters in Baseball Reference WAR (2.1) and FanGraphs WAR (1.7) while putting up a 2.27 ERA in 47⅔ innings. However, this is the second time this season he has left during a start with a groin injury, a potentially concerning sign for the righty.
Mize was indeed seen throwing at Comerica Park pregame.
Jansen, who left yesterday’s game in the ninth inning with the groin injury, was placed on the 15-day injured list shortly before Thursday’s game with pelvic inflammation. The 38-year-old closer leads the team with seven saves and has a 4.80 ERA over 18 relief appearances so far this season.
The Tigers called up lefty reliever Drew Sommers to take his place.
Carpenter and Torres going to Toledo
Hinch also provided an update on injured players Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres, saying both would be heading to Triple-A Toledo on Friday to continue their rehab process.
Hinch said Carpenter will play for the Mud Hens but that he may not play the whole game as he ramps up for his return. Carpenter has been out of action since May 9 after injuring his shoulder in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
Torres, meanwhile, will head to Toledo to continue his rehab program but won’t appear in Friday’s game. Hinch said the team hopes Torres “will play this week” but reiterated that Carpenter was further along in his rehab process than Torres.
Torres has been on the injured list since May 6 with a left oblique strain and could provide a big boost to Detroit’s lineup once he comes back. Torres told reporters Wednesday that his swing feels “normal” and that he’s excited to return.
“I didn’t feel like I had to go to the minor leagues because I didn’t miss many games, but now, it’s around three weeks, so I want to make sure I have my timing and feel confident,” Torres said.
Why Melton is starting over Valdez on Friday
Tigers starter Troy Melton has been tabbed as the team’s starter for Friday’s game against the Chicago White Sox. Melton will appear on regular rest for his second start of the season, even though it is also technically Framber Valdez’s turn in the rotation to pitch.
So, why Melton over Valdez? According to Hinch, it has nothing to do with how the team sees either pitcher, but with how the rest days worked out after the team’s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on May 24.
Valdez pitched Game 1 of the doubleheader, allowing just two hits and one run over six innings while throwing 92 pitches. Meanwhile, Melton made his season debut for the Tigers in Game 2, throwing 5⅔ innings while matching Valdez with two hits allowed and one run on 79 pitches.
According to Hinch, Melton gets Friday’s start over Valdez because of his lower pitch count from the doubleheader.
“We’re bringing Melton along at a lower pitch volume than Framber,” he said. “Over the last couple of outings, we really leaned on [Valdez] heavily.”
Valdez leads the Tigers in innings pitched (61) and threw a season-high 106 pitches for the Tigers on May 13, a seven-inning gem that ended in a 3-2, extra-inning loss to the New York Mets.
This story was updated to reflect Jansen’s placement on the IL.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers’ Casey Mize still waiting on MRI results, Jansen to IL
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
