Injuries & Moves: Garrett Hill returns, Vasquez to IL
LATEST NEWS
Aug. 29: RHP Garrett Hill recalled from Triple-A Toledo; LHP Andrew Vasquez placed on 15-day IL
Hill rejoins the Tigers' bullpen for his fourth stint this season, and first since late June. He pitched in just three games for the Mud Hens since then thanks to an IL stint, but he struck out six batters over three scoreless innings in a win over Omaha on Aug. 17.
“He’s been back in the strike zone,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He can provide a little bit of length for us. We’re pretty thin in the bullpen, so we really wanted someone that we knew we could leave out there for 40-50 pitches if need be. He’s been missing some bats, which is good. He’s throwing more strikes, which is good.”
Vasquez suffered a tight left calf during his most recent outing last Sunday, when the Astros taxed him for six runs (five earned) on four hits and one walk over one-third of an inning.
Aug. 29: LHP Bennett Sousa claimed off waivers from Brewers and optioned to Triple-A Toledo
The Tigers created some intrigue about potential September callups with an open 40-man roster spot, but it went towards pitching depth. The 28-year-old Sousa has a 9.00 ERA over 27 career appearances -- 25 last year with the White Sox and two this season with Milwaukee -- but he has averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings over three seasons of Triple-A ball with a mix of mid-90s fastballs and sliders.
Aug. 29: C Jake Rogers day to day with left finger injury
Rogers is still bothered by a finger injury that stemmed from one of his two catcher’s interference calls on Aug. 25, when his glove hand made contact with a swing.
“His finger was pretty banged up,” said manager A.J. Hinch. “It’s not broken; there’s no issues. He’s certainly available. I’ll hit him if we need to or I’ll put him in behind the plate. … But the reality is I’m just giving him a few days to kind of mend up.”
Carson Kelly started behind the plate Tuesday for the second consecutive game, catching Tarik Skubal for the first time. It’s the first time Rogers has been out for consecutive games since Eric Haase started the final two games before the All-Star break.
Aug. 28: INF Isan Díaz clears waivers, elects free agency
Díaz chose free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A Toledo. The 27-year-old, who was claimed off waivers from the Giants on Aug. 7, was 0-for-5 in two games with the Tigers after being recalled from Toledo on Aug. 13. Monday's move created an opening on Detroit's 40-man roster.
INJURY UPDATES
10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Mason Englert (left hip soreness)
Expected return: Likely September
Englert is scheduled to make another rehab appearance for Triple-A Toledo on Thursday. He has allowed five runs on 10 hits over 8 1/3 innings across six rehab outings, including back-to-back scoreless innings with two strikeouts on Aug. 26-27. (Last updated: Aug. 29)
LHP Andrew Vasquez (left calf tightness)
Expected return: Possibly September
Vasquez suffered a tight left calf during his most recent outing on Aug. 27, when the Astros taxed him for six runs (five earned) on four hits and one walk over one-third of an inning. He’s currently receiving daily treatment and will be re-evaluated later this week to possibly begin playing catch. (Last updated: Aug. 29)
60-day IL
RHP Casey Mize (Tommy John surgery, lumbar strain)
Expected return: Possibly late 2023
Mize threw 20 pitches to live hitters on Aug. 26, the first time he'd faced hitters since his injury. He is scheduled to throw another session on Aug. 30. The Tigers don't yet have a target date for Mize's return, but they feel optimistic about the right-hander's progression through his program.
“He was really exceptional,” said manager A.J. Hinch, who added that Mize was analyzing the quality of his pitches. “That tells me he’s thinking about pitching and not talking about rehabbing.” (Last updated: Aug. 29)
OF Austin Meadows (anxiety)
Expected return: TBD
Meadows continues to receive treatment at home in Florida as well as elsewhere, according to Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, but he is not currently doing baseball activity. (Last updated: Aug. 5)
LHP Matthew Boyd (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: TBD (recovery is typically 12-18 months)
Boyd was diagnosed with a partial sprain of his UCL. He underwent Tommy John surgery on June 28 in Dallas, performed by Dr. Keith Meister. He rejoined the team in Seattle, his hometown, and said he will rehab in Detroit for the remainder of the season. (Last updated: July 14)
LHP Tyler Alexander (left lat strain)
Expected return: 2024
Alexander strained his lat on his final pitch July 2 at Colorado. An MRI exam revealed a partial tear, but after a consultation with Chicago-based specialist Dr. Anthony Romeo, Alexander should be able to avoid surgery. He’ll rehab for the next three months but should be able to do a normal offseason throwing program and be ready for the start of next Spring Training. (Last updated: July 9)
RHP Freddy Pacheco (right elbow sprain)
Expected return: 2024
Pacheco underwent UCL repair surgery on June 5. He continues to do rehab daily, according to the Tigers. (Last updated: June 25)