Elusive, always-injured Tigers pitcher takes first step to return in almost 2 years

There were a few weeks at the end of September 2023 when it looked like pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long could be a promising addition to the Tigers' rotation. Detroit acquired him in August 2022, when he was still in Double-A, and sent Michael Fulmer to the Twins. He debuted on Detroit's top 30 prospects list in 2023 at No. 11 and, despite some shaky results in Double- and Triple-A that year, was promoted to the majors on Sept. 10.

He made four starts for a nice 2.70 ERA and might've had the chance to battle Reese Olson and Matt Manning for the last spot in the Tigers' 2024 rotation if he hadn't started the season on the IL with a groin strain. In April, after throwing three innings in his first rehab start, the team announced that he actually needed Tommy John, which would keep him out for the entire season, and then he underwent hip surgery on July 9.

It wouldn't be surprising if Tigers fans forgot who this guy is, apart from the fact that his name always shows up on the team's medical reports. Still, he remains a top 30 prospect (No. 29 this year), and made his first rehab appearance of the year in Single-A on Thursday.

Michael Fulmer trade return Sawyer Gipson-Long made first rehab start for Tigers in over a year

Gipson-Long opened the Flying Tigers' game against the Marauders and got through a clean first inning with his first strikeout of the year, but he got into some trouble in the second when he gave up back-to-back singles with one out and was pulled from the game. There's no doubt the coaching staff in Single-A has been advised to monitor his pitch count given the two surgeries.

It feels safe to assume that the Tigers aren't going to rush him through a rehab assignment. The rotation is solid, the bullpen even more so, and there's a chance that the Tigers just option him back to Triple-A when they think he's ready for more full-time action.

Still, he showed a lot of promise in that initial 2023 stint and will be a nice option to keep in reserve — perhaps as a 27th man during a doubleheader? Hopefully the worst of his injuries are behind him, and he can actually battle for a rotation spot in earnest next year.