Brant Hurter's blowout rehab outings might open the door to Tigers top prospect

Brant Hurter has been a key lefty out of the Tigers' bullpen since 2024, but he's been on the IL since late May with lumbar spine inflammation, and Detroit has since come to rely on rookie Drew Sommers as their secondary southpaw behind Tyler Holton.

Hurter began a rehab assignment on Aug. 4 in Single-A Lakeland, and was transferred to Toledo four days later. Things have gone less than swimmingly for him in Triple-A, though, and he might up staying there instead of being brought back to Detroit when his rehab assignment is over.

He gave up two runs in one inning his first time out before bouncing back well and throwing a spotless appearance three days later. However, the improvements didn't stick, and he gave up five runs in just 2/3 innings on Aug. 14 before his latest disaster on Tuesday.

He gave up a leadoff infield single and then a walk before recording his first out. Another infield single scored a run. He managed to get his first and only strikeout the day for out No. 2, but another walk to load the bases got him pulled. Yeah, that's not the version of Hurter the Tigers want on the major league roster.

However, they do another lefty waiting in the wings in Triple-A. No. 14 prospect Andrew Sears threw five hitless innings after Hurter's ugly start on Tuesday.

It might be time for the Tigers to call up No. 14 prospect Andrew Sears as Brant Hurter struggles

Sears was a Tigers' 10th-round pick in 2023 and has been a sneaky riser into the top-30 ever since. He's had some trouble with injury this year and had to wait until mid-May to make his season debut, but a 2.57 ERA in Double-A Erie earned him a promotion to Toledo earlier the month. He's only made two appearances so far, but the first was a scoreless 4 2/3 innings and the second was an almost-perfect five (he gave up two walks).

The Tigers' bullpen hasn't been as heavily wracked with injuries as the rest of the roster this season, but they're still mostly responsible for the team's MLB-leading 35 blown leads this year.

If they continue to slide after dropping a series against the Pirates, giving Sears an early look this season wouldn't hurt. It might not even if they get back to winning, if he keeps up the strong performances in Triple-A.

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