Casey Mize, the Tigers’ right-hander, is expected to toe the rubber for his next start on Saturday against visiting Kansas City. This comes as welcome news after a rough Sunday outing in Anaheim where he took a line drive off his glove hand and later battled groin tightness. An injured list stint is on hold for now.
Mize’s Persistent Battle: It’s Just ‘Annoying’ Now
Even with his hand declared fine, that groin issue is the real problem. Manager AJ Hinch is cautiously optimistic, saying Mize just needs to avoid “ill effects” during his off-day regimen. Mize described it as “not really, like, a big issue, but it keeps popping up.” He’s trying to pitch deep into games, and this constant annoyance is making it tough. He sounded frustrated, noting, “We’ve been working really hard on it, really being diligent about it, so that’s what makes it a little bit more annoying.” He feels “pretty optimistic” about this “Day One” compared to past flare-ups, but remains realistic: they’ll “honestly just going to have to re-evaluate at the end of each day.” This 2025 All-Star is currently 4-6 with a solid 2.79 ERA, having won two of his last four starts. The Tigers need this guy healthy.
Big Bats Back and Roster Moves Shake Up the Lineup
Speaking of needing healthy players, the Tigers just got a huge boost, activating two-time All-Star second baseman Gleyber Torres before Monday’s game. He’s set to hit second, finally back after more than a month rehabbing a left oblique strain. Hinch is pumped, saying, “We’re a different team with him in the lineup; certainly the top of the lineup.” Torres was on fire before the injury, batting .280 with 18 RBIs and four homers. He won’t be an everyday guy right away, likely easing into action over the next 10 days, meaning Hao-Yu Lee and Zach McKinstry will still see time at second. To make space, catcher Eduardo Valencia was optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Hinch called it a “hard-luck move,” but Valencia, who made his major-league debut on July 9 and hit .417 with two homers and three RBIs in just 13 plate appearances, is in their future plans. “He did everything we asked when he came up,” Hinch added.
The Looming Deadline and More Rehab on the Horizon
Team health is paramount right now, especially with the trade deadline clock ticking. These next two weeks will decide whether the Tigers are buyers or sellers. They’re 6½ games back in the AL Central and in the thick of a wild-card race in what’s been a “mostly middle-heavy AL.” They need all hands on deck, including three-time All-Star Javier Báez. The 33-year-old is starting his rehab assignment in Lakeland on Tuesday night after playing only five games before landing on the 60-day injured list with a right ankle sprain. The plan is to gradually get him through thirds.
So, Mize is pitching on Saturday, but every fan has an eye on that groin. Can he push through and stay effective? Can the Tigers truly capitalize on Torres’s return and Báez’s impending comeback? These next two weeks are absolutely massive for their entire season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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