Jackson Jobe injury offers golden opportunity to forgotten Tigers starter

Tigers pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long has been on a rehab assignment since May 8, spanning three levels of the minors, as he works his way back from two separate surgeries that have kept him off a major league mound since Sept. 28, 2023. It's no surprise that the Tigers have wanted him to ramp up slowly, but his 5 1/3 inning, one-run effort in Triple-A last Thursday could have been the final step before he returns to the majors.

The timing couldn't be better, as the Tigers lost Jackson Jobe to the 15-day IL with a Grade 1 flexor strain last week. They promoted reliever Dylan Smith, who got his MLB debut on Monday night, as the corresponding move but, as of writing, it's unclear who will start their second game against the White Sox on Tuesday evening.

It's Casey Mize's turn through the rotation, but Chris McCosky of the Detroit News speculated that Gipson-Long could also be a candidate; if not, he's likely to make his return on Wednesday or Thursday.

Losing Jobe was a blow to rotation, but it presents an opportunity for Gipson-Long (still the Tigers' No. 29 prospect) to reestablish his place at the major league level.

Jackson Jobe's IL stint clears a path for Sawyer Gipson-Long to make an impression in Tigers' rotation

Gipson-Long was promoted at the very end of the 2023 season and gave the Tigers 20 solid innings over four consecutive starts. He was expected to fight for a spot in the 2024 rotation during spring training, but a groin strain forced him to start the season on the IL, and then he reported forearm discomfort during a rehab assignment, which turned out to necessitate Tommy John in April. A second surgery to repair a tear in his hip was piled on in July.

He's pitched five starts for a 2.20 ERA in Single-A, High-A, and Triple-A during his rehab assignment and has just two walks to 16 strikeouts. Although he hardly pitched enough in 2023 to be a qualified player, his expected stats, chase, whiff, and K rates all looked elite during his stint.

Keider Montero, Reese Olson's temporary replacement in the rotation, has leveled out significantly over his last two starts, giving Tigers pitching a much-needed boost after the blow of losing Olson. Gipson-Long has the opportunity to do the same thing in Jobe's absence, and his presence on the roster alone will take some pressure off of the bullpen.