RADIO
Troy Melton Scratched on Monday With Lower-Back Tightness
Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton (back) was scratched from his start on Monday against the Houston Astros with lower-back tightness, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Drew Anderson was pegged to start the game in Melton's place in a bullpen-only game. Fantasy managers will want to consider Melton day-to-day, but he's definitely in danger of missing his next start. In just his second year in the big leagues, the 25-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2022 out of San Diego State University has gone 3-0 for the Tigers with a 2.81 ERA (5.36 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and six walks in 25 2/3 innings pitched. Melton went 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 36 punchouts and 15 walks in 45 2/3 innings in his first 16 appearances (four starts) as a rookie in 2025. With a 4.88 FIP and just a 17.7% strikeout rate through his first 20 outings (eight starts) in the big leagues, Melton is due for plenty of regression. Despite his strong start in 2026, Melton is merely a deep-league streaming option and is rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues. UPDATE: According to The Detroit News' Chris McCosky, Melton is optimistic that he will avoid a trip to the 15-day injured list.
Source: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
Source: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
Justin Verlander Set for Simulated Game as Hip Recovery Continues
Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) is expected to throw a simulated game on Monday in Houston as he continues his recovery from left hip inflammation. Verlander completed his second rehab start on June 10 with Triple-A Toledo, where he allowed four runs on five hits over six innings. The future Hall of Famer made just one start before the injury, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks across 3 2/3 innings. Staying healthy will be the primary focus for Verlander in his 22nd major league season as he works to rejoin the Tigers rotation.
Source: Jason Beck
Source: Jason Beck
Tigers Place Jack Flaherty on Injured List With Peroneal Strain
The Detroit Tigers announced on Saturday that they placed right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle, foot) on the 15-day injured list with a left peroneal strain and recalled infielder Hao-Yu Lee from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. The Tigers pulled Flaherty from his start early on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians with an injury to his outer ankle/foot. The good news for Detroit is that they are getting ace left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) back on Saturday, with right-hander Casey Mize (groin) coming back from the IL on Sunday in the series finale against Cleveland. It's unclear how much time Flaherty will be forced to miss, but he will at least be out for a couple of turns through the starting rotation. The 30-year-old veteran has had a rough second year in Motown, losing a league-high eight games in his first 15 starts, also posting an ERA above 5.00 with a 1.57 WHIP, 78 strikeouts, and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched. Flaherty has been a bit unlucky this year, but even when considering his 4.60 expected ERA and 4.10 FIP, there's not a ton to like. He's currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Tigers PR
Source: Tigers PR
Jack Flaherty Injures his Leg on Friday Against the Guardians
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (leg) left his start early on Friday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians due to left-leg discomfort, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty's tough 2026 season continued, as he not only departed early with an injury, but he also took his eighth loss of the year in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Cleveland at Progressive Field. Before hitting the showers early on Friday night, Flaherty allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one in only three innings. It's unclear right now if his injury is serious enough to warrant a trip to the injured list. The good news for the Tigers is that they have both left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) and right-hander Casey Mize (groin) returning to their starting rotation this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The 30-year-old Flaherty entered his start on Friday with an elevated 5.31 ERA (4.12 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 77 strikeouts and 33 walks in 62 2/3 innings over his 14 starts in his second year in Motown.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Casey Mize to Return on Sunday
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (adductor) will be activated off the 15-day Injured List ahead of Sunday's game. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed on Friday that Mize will rejoin the team and start versus the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Mize is back in action after being sidelined since late May due to right adductor inflammation. Through nine starts, Mize has a 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 49:12 K:BB ratio across 47.2 innings this season. It's worth noting that Mize only threw 55 pitches during his most recent rehab start. He might not see a full workload during his first start back against Cleveland on Sunday. The right-hander is still worth stashing given his success on the mound early this season.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Justin Verlander Lit Up by Four Home Runs in Rehab Start
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) had a rough showing in his minor-league rehab start on Wednesday for Triple-A Toledo, allowing four earned runs on five hits (four home runs) while walking two and striking out three in 5 2/3 innings of work for the Mud Hens. It was in stark contrast to his first rehab start with Toledo on June 2, when he threw five shutout innings over 64 pitches. Despite the ugly results on Wednesday, the good news is that Verlander averaged 92.9 mph with his fastball and got up to 86 pitches in the outing, meaning his next start could be back in the big leagues for the Tigers against his former team, the Houston Astros. That would be a solid matchup for the 43-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP, but he still won't be recommended as a fantasy streamer after having not pitched in the majors since March 30. And in his lone start in 2026 for Detroit, Verlander allowed five earned runs in 3 2/3 innings to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's going to be plugged back into the Tigers' starting rotation, but the future Hall of Famer doesn't have much left, and fantasy managers should have better upside options at their disposal.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Casey Mize Likely to Pitch on Sunday Against Cleveland
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) is likely to return from the 15-day injured list to start against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians on Sunday in the series finale, but the Tigers are waiting for him to complete his bullpen session on Thursday before setting that in stone, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Right-hander Jack Flaherty will get the ball for Friday's series opener, with lefty Tarik Skubal (elbow) returning from the IL to pitch on Saturday in Game 2. Mize has been sidelined with inflammation in his right groin since late May, but he looked good during his lone minor-league rehab start, allowing just one run in five innings with five strikeouts for Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday. The 29-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn University has never been a big strikeout artist, but he has a career-best 26.5% strikeout rate in 2026 and has posted a strong 2.27 ERA (2.41 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 12 walks in his nine starts for Detroit before landing on the IL. Don't dismiss Mize as a matchup-based streamer in fantasy leagues. He's rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Tarik Skubal to Start on Saturday Against Guardians
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) will return from the 15-day injured list and start on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, manager A.J. Hinch told Jason Beck of MLB.com. Right-hander Jack Flaherty will go in the series opener on Friday, with Casey Mize (groin) returning from the IL to pitch in the series finale on Sunday. Skubal had surgery on his left elbow in early May to remove loose bodies from his arm, but he has made a rapid recovery and will return this weekend for the Tigers and fantasy managers. In his lone minor-league rehab start for High-A West Michigan on Sunday, the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner threw five scoreless innings and struck out six while tossing 54 pitches. Skubal will probably be a bit limited length-wise on Saturday in his first start back in the Tigers' rotation, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much. The 29-year-old southpaw and two-time All-Star went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings across his seven starts this year before landing on the IL.
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Troy Melton Emerging as a Breakout Candidate on the Waiver Wire
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton picked up his third win of the season on Tuesday night, allowing four earned runs but striking out five across five innings of work in his team's 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. The 25-year-old has been effective in 2026 since returning from the elbow injury that delayed his start to the season until late May. Across 25 2/3 innings (four starts), Melton has recorded a 3-0 record with a 2.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts. The right-hander's average velocity is down from 97.1 miles per hour in 2025 to 95.9 mph, and he's struck out just 13.7% of the batters he's faced, both of which are worrying signs. Still, Melton owns a 2.78 ERA across 71 1/3 career MLB innings, and he showcased more strikeout upside in the minors, logging a 32.4% strikeout rate across 75 2/3 minor league innings in 2025. He's worth targeting on the waiver wire ahead of a potential breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Casey Mize Goes Five Innings in Rehab Start With Low-A
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) looked good in a minor-league rehab start with Low-A Lakeland on Tuesday, allowing an earned run on three hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out five in five innings of work, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. He threw 36 of his 55 pitches for strikes in the outing. It was the 29-year-old's first rehab start since landing on the 15-day injured list with a groin injury, and it could be his last before rejoining Detroit's starting rotation when he's first eligible to return for a matchup in Sunday's series finale in Cleveland against the division-rival Guardians. Mize has been solid in his first nine starts this year for the Tigers, going 2-3 with a 2.27 ERA (2.42 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 12 walks in 47 2/3 innings, but he won't be a recommended streamer for fantasy managers if he starts on Sunday for Detroit in what will likely be a limited pitch count. But with a career-high 26.5% strikeout rate so far in 2026, Mize isn't a terrible matchup-based streamer in mixed leagues, and he's rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Tarik Skubal Could Return to Tigers Rotation on Friday or Saturday
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) is feeling good a day after his minor-league rehab start for High-A West Michigan, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Skubal will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and all signs continue to point to him coming off the 15-day injured list to start on Friday or Saturday in Cleveland against the division-rival Guardians. In his rehab start on Sunday, the two-time Cy Young winner struck out six in five innings and came out without any setbacks after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow several weeks ago. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star has recovered extremely quickly from what was a minimally invasive surgery, although he'll carry more risk for fantasy managers in his first start back from the IL. Before getting hurt, Skubal went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings over his first seven starts of 2026. Even though he hasn't pitched for Detroit since April 29, Skubal should be returned to fantasy lineups this weekend against a Guardians team that ranks 26th in baseball with a .689 OPS.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Tarik Skubal Dominates in Rehab Start, Return Appears Imminent
Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) took another encouraging step toward his return on Sunday, tossing five scoreless innings in a rehab start with High-A West Michigan. Skubal allowed just two hits and struck out six batters, continuing a strong recovery from the left elbow injury that landed him on the injured list on May 4. The Tigers are hopeful the 29-year-old can rejoin the rotation for this weekend's series against the Guardians. Before the injury, Skubal looked every bit like the ace Detroit expected, posting a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across 43 1/3 innings. A two-time All-Star and one of the favorites in the American League Cy Young race entering the season, Skubal remains an elite fantasy option once activated.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
Casey Mize to Make Rehab Start on Tuesday
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (adductor) is scheduled to make a minor league rehab start at Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday. Mize has been sidelined since late May due to right adductor inflammation. The expectation is that Mize will only need one rehab start before rejoining the Tigers' rotation. There's a chance that Mize is back in the mix by the next weekend series versus the Cleveland Guardians. This season, Mize owns a 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 49:12 K:BB ratio across nine starts. The right-hander has looked strong early in the season and is worth scooping up for fantasy managers seeking pitching help right now.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Justin Verlander Set for Second Rehab Start at Triple-A on Wednesday
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hip) is set to make his second rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, per Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. The 43-year-old made just one start in 2026 before being placed on the injured list with a hip injury. Verlander was shelled in his lone outing, allowing five earned runs across 3 2/3 innings of work against the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, the veteran right-hander had a decent year in 2025 for the San Francisco Giants, recording a 4-11 record with a 3.85 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 137 strikeouts across 152 innings (29 starts). Verlander also pitched well in his first rehab outing at Triple-A, striking out three across five scoreless innings on June 2. Upon his return, Verlander could be a worthy streaming option for deeper-league managers in certain matchups.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Tarik Skubal to Make Rehab Start for High-A on Sunday
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) will make a minor-league rehab start at High-A West Michigan on Sunday instead of at Triple-A Toledo because of weather concerns, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. This will be Skubal's first rehab start since having bone chips removed from his left elbow in early May. Because of the non-invasive procedure, the back-to-back Cy Young winner has recovered very quickly and has been throwing off a mound over the last couple of weeks. Depending on how Skubal fares in his outing on the farm this weekend, he could be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to rejoin Detroit's starting rotation at some point late next week. The talented 29-year-old southpaw will have ample time to build his trade value up before this year's deadline in early August. Before having elbow surgery, Skubal went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings pitched over his first seven starts of the 2026 campaign. He'll go right back to being a must-start in all fantasy baseball formats once he's back from the IL.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
