Baltimore — The complex puzzle that is the Tigers’ active roster might have a few different pieces to slot in this weekend.
There is a reason reliever Brenan Hanifee and starting pitcher Troy Melton were both on the field at Camden Yards getting in some early throwing in the rain.
As AJ Hinch explained, reliever Burch Smith reported soreness in his right shoulder after throwing 27 pitches on Thursday against Cleveland.
“He had a cortisone injection and we are waiting on an evaluation to see if we’re going to make a move,” Hinch said.
That evaluation showed enough for the Tigers to place Smith on the 15-day injured list.
Hanifee, was summoned from Triple-A Toledo Thursday night, was activated to fill the spot in the bullpen. Hanifee had allowed just two runs in 9.1 innings for the Tigers before he was optioned to Toledo last weekend to clear a spot for Casey Mize.
He pitched one scoreless inning for the Mud Hens.
Melton, who hasn’t pitched since getting shut down early in spring with elbow inflammation, finished an impressive rehab assignment on Tuesday, striking out six in five innings for Low-A Lakeland.
He is trending toward making his season debut against the Orioles here on Sunday.
“It’s probable,” Hinch said.
It’s not definite, at least not before the game Friday, because the Tigers will need to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Melton, who has been on the 60-day injured list.
Also, the forecast of heavy rain all weekend in Baltimore, also clouds the issue to a degree. If a double-header is needed to make up for a postponement, then the Tigers could add an extra pitcher as the 27th man.
Right-hander Beau Brieske (groin) is also eligible to come off the 60-day IL on Sunday. His return would also require a corresponding 60-man roster move.
Lots of moving parts.
A few other injured Tigers made the trip to Baltimore, as well, though they are not going to be added to the roster.
Second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique strain) was here to continue his rehab and continue working toward an eventual rehab assignment.
“He’s still not full speed with his swing,” Hinch said. “He’s here but he’s just doing rehab.”
Pitchers Tarik Skubal (arthroscopic elbow surgery) and Justin Verlander (hip) are also continuing their rehab work with the team.
Skubal, who did his flat-ground work in the rain Friday, will throw a regular between-starts bullpen Saturday, weather permitting.
His next “start day,” will be Tuesday and Hinch has left open the possibility that he could face hitters, like a partial simulated game.
“I’m not sure yet,” Hinch said. “We will see how it goes. We’re trying to go step by step and I’m trying to keep sprinkling a little more each time.”
Verlander was also hoping to throw a bullpen session this weekend. Hinch said he will pitch another simulated game next week at Comerica Park.
The plan, Hinch said, is for both Skubal and Verlander to build their pitch counts up to four innings with sim games before sending them out to make a minor-league rehab start. The reason for that is, it is easier to control pitch volume in sim games than it is during a minor-league competition.
Tigers at Orioles
First pitch: 4:05 p.m. Saturday, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
TV/radio: Detroit Sports Net/97.1, 107.9 FM
LHP Framber Valdez (2-3, 4.58), Tigers: Two of his last three starts have been wobbly. He last just five innings against the Guardians last time out, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks. His biggest issue has been the sinker. It’s the pitch he throws the most (46.5%), the one he uses to set up his offspeed and spin, and he his command has been inconsistent. Opponents are hitting .310 with a .440 slugging percentage (.512 expected slug). There’s been more middle or miss recently than is his norm.
RHP Brandon Young (3-1, 4.25), Orioles: He’s allowed three runs or less in five of his six starts this season, including holding the White Sox scoreless on two hits over five innings in his first start. He’s got a sneaky four-seam fastball (94 mph) that holding hitters to a .152 average an a .278 weighted on-base average. He will mix a splitter and curveball off the four-seamer to lefties and use sinkers and sliders against righties.
Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers’ roster to be shuffled with return of Troy Melton; Skubal update
Reporting by Chris McCosky, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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