Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty is coming back soon.
Before that happens, Flaherty needs to complete a rehab assignment.
The 30-year-old is scheduled for what could be a one-and-done rehab start with Double-A Erie on Tuesday, June 23, at UPMC Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. He has been on the 15-day injured list since June 13 with a strain of the left peroneal tendon located in the lower leg and ankle.
“He never stopped throwing, which was encouraging,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Monday’s opener of a three-game series against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park. “We thought it was a relatively minor issue, but it was going to make him skip a start – and he tracked exactly that.”
Left leg discomfort forced Flaherty to exit his June 12 start against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
The next day, the Tigers placed him on the injured list.
Flaherty owns a 5.35 ERA with 34 walks and 78 strikeouts across 65⅔ innings in 15 starts, including an impoved 3.86 ERA over his past four starts – in which the Tigers have won three games in a row.
“We were able to get him a bullpen a couple of days ago,” Hinch said, “and it was an extended bullpen, which was up-down, like 40-plus pitches. The mound and slope were the key.”
When Flaherty returns, the Tigers will have six starters for five spots.
The other five starters: Left-hander Tarik Skubal, left-hander Framber Valdez, right-hander Casey Mize, right-hander Troy Melton and right-hander Keider Montero, with Melton and Montero as the candidates to be replaced.
Flaherty is eligible to return Sunday from the injured list.
It’s the finale of a four-game series against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park, which would put Flaherty on the regular four days rest from Tuesday’s rehab start with the SeaWolves.
A return Sunday appears to be the target.
“We’ll see,” Hinch said.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jack Flaherty ready for injury rehab assignment with Double-A Erie
Reporting by Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
