Casey Mize extension argument takes a hit after latest Tigers injury update

Tigers fans all thought the same thing when Casey Mize was pulled from his Sunday start against the Angels after just 3 1/3 innings: Seriously, dude?

He was hit on the wrist by a comebacker and taken out, but that ended up being the least of the Tigers' concerns. After the game, he admitted that he's also been dealing with groin tightness, which is a little too close to his last injury issue (adductor strain) for comfort.

He's expected to make his next scheduled start, but yet another injury scare after he's already spent two stints on the IL this season was both exasperating and enough to give Mize extension truthers some pause.

There's no doubt Mize has been pitching well this season. We wouldn't go as far as to say that he's fully living up to the expectations that have saddled him as a first overall draft pick, but certainly looks good enough to be a strong No. 2 in any major league rotation.

But he may never stay healthy. The 150 1/3 innings he pitched in 2021 are still a career high; he fell 1 1/3 innings short last season and has no chance of topping himself this year.

If the Tigers are actually interested in extending him or re-signing him, his health is going to come into account. Even if they can get him at a discount, would it even be worth it if he can't stay healthy?

Is a Casey Mize extension even worth it for the Tigers if he can't stay healthy?

Mize could probably make a Tyler Glasnow-esque argument in his free agency if he manages to finish the season strong. Yes, he's been unlucky with injuries, but the raw talent is there. Glasnow still hasn't pitched more than 134 innings in a season — and it took him nine major league seasons to do that — but the Dodgers still gave him over $136 million over five years.

Mize hasn't always been quite as dominant when healthy and has fewer years of service time under his belt than Glasnow did when he was traded and extended, but Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic speculated that Mize could earn a contract with a $25 million AAV if he exceeds 3 WAR this season, given the weakness of the upcoming free agent class.

The Tigers may not want to shell out quite that much for Mize when the 2027 rotation already looks pretty full (Framber Valdez, Troy Melton, Keider Montero, Jackson Jobe, and hopefully Reese Olson) and they're well acquainted with his history of injury.

Whether or not Mize ends up evading a third IL stint might be the make-or-break factor, if the Tigers are even considering trying to keep him at all. Either way, a healthy Mize is going to be crucial not just for this intense run of games before the deadline, but a potential postseason push. Fingers are crossed.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow