You’re not imagining it: Detroit Tigers among most injury-riddled teams

While the Detroit Tigers at least got some good news about the status of Matt Manning’s shoulder this week, if you think the team is among the most injury-bitten teams in MLB, your gut’s not wrong.

The team ranks among the top five for most players and games lost to injuries this season, according to Spotrac.

As of Wednesday morning, the Tigers have lost nine players and 132 days to the injured list. That accounts for about $1.7 million in salary lost.

Detroit is tied for third with the Nationals, White Sox, and Rays in number of players on the IL, while the Reds (13) and Athletics (11) lead there.

The Tigers trail the Reds (151), Pirates (147), and White Sox (138) in days lost.

Not a great time to be playing baseball in the Midwest, apparently.

While not every player for every team, including Detroit, would necessarily have made the 28-man Opening Day roster, looking over the Tigers’ injury list there are quite a few notable names to be found right now.

Detroit Tigers injury list as of April 20

• Casey Mize (elbow), 5 days
• Javier Baez (thumb), 8 days
• Andrew Chafin (groin), 17 days
• Riley Greene (foot), 17 days
• Derek Hill (hamstring), 17 days
• Kyle Funkhouser (back) 17 days
• Jose Cisnero (shoulder), 17 days
• Spencer Turnbull (elbow, TJS), 17 days
• Jake Rogers (elbow, TJS), 17 days

Source: Spotrac

Detroit Tigers injuries getting concerning already

We already knew Turnbull and Rogers would be lost for the season as they both recovery from Tommy John Surgery.

However, the loss of Cisnero in spring training was unexpected. Andrew Chafin has yet to play a game for the Tigers after signing in the offseason. Greene appeared to play his way onto the Opening Day roster only to fracture his foot only days before the team went north.

And now the Tigers have to hold their breath on Mize, who led the team in innings pitched in 2021 with 150.

Early indications are that he suffered a medial sprain, per Jason Beck at Tigers.com. If that is the case he will at least avoid surgery on his pitching arm. That said, Mize is still suffering pain and will remain shut down as long as he is.

Detroit Tigers SP Matt Manning gets good news

Over the weekend, Tigers fans had to hold their breath after Manning left his start against the Royals with shoulder discomfort after just two innings Saturday.

There has been some good news since at least. Manning got about the best news possible, per manager AJ Hinch. That said, the team may still err on the side of caution and skip his next start, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive.