Detroit — It is trending toward a minimal stay on the injured list for Tigers’ right-hander Jack Flaherty.
Manager AJ Hinch said before the game Monday that Flaherty will make a minor-league rehab start Tuesday with Double-A Erie.
“We were able to get him a bullpen (Saturday),” Hinch said. “It was an extended, up-down, 40-plus pitches. He never stopped throwing, which is encouraging. Just the mound and slope is the key.”
Flaherty, who left his start on June 12 with inflammation in his left peroneal tendon, which runs along the outside of the ankle, is eligible to come off the injured list Sunday.
“We thought it was a relatively minor issue, but it was going to make him skip a start,” Hinch said. “And it’s tracked to be exactly that. He’s on time. But we will just wait and see how it comes out.”
In a perfect world, Flaherty’s rehab start would be with Toledo and against Triple-A hitters. But the Mud Hens are in Worcester.
“We don’t really prefer A-ball,” Hinch said. “And even West Michigan is in Dayton. Little unlucky for Jack. He was going to have to travel somewhere. As much as we love West Michigan, it’s not ideal for pitchers.
“Erie is the closest and it’s the only home game.”
Flaherty, after a wobbly start to the season, was starting to find his rhythm. He’d posted 30 strikeouts and five walks in last five starts (22 innings).
His return will necessitate another decision. The Tigers rotation right now is Framber Valdez, who got the start Monday), Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Troy Melton and Keider Montero.
The Tigers will be toward the back end of a 14-games, 14-day stretch this weekend. If Flaherty does come back, it’s possible they could use a six-man rotation one time through.
Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers’ Jack Flaherty to make rehab start Tuesday at Erie
Reporting by Chris McCosky, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Chris McCosky, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
