Tigers finally announce Casey Mize activation and DFA former top prospect

Emma Lingan

Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize (12) walks off the field after picking the third inning against Washington Nationals at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, June 13, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Detroit Tigers activated right-handed pitcher and former No. 1 overall draft pick Casey Mize from the 60-day injured list Friday, per a report from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Mize missed two months with a strained hamstring but is set to rejoin the Tigers' starting rotation Friday for a start against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park.

The right-hander tossed four rehab starts with Triple-A Toledo, posting a 2.63 ERA and 17:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 13.2 innings. He threw 78 pitches in his final rehab outing, suggesting that he should be available for close to a full workload in Friday's start. He posted a 4.23 ERA and 58:21 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 78.2 innings over 16 starts for Detroit this season prior to his injury.

In a corresponding move to clear space for Mize on the 40-man roster, the Tigers designated left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz for assignment. Wentz, a former Competitive Balance Round A pick by the Atlanta Braves, is out of minor league options, making him available to all 29 other clubs via waivers; if he goes unclaimed, he will remain with the Tigers organization as a depth option in Triple-A Toledo without occupying a spot on the 40-man roster.

Tigers Injury Update: Báez surgery scheduled, Faedo done for season

The Tigers also announced a series of medical updates Friday, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Most notably, shortstop Javy Báez, who has been shut down for the season with hip and lumbar spine inflammation, is scheduled to undergo right hip surgery on Sept. 3. The timetable for his return remains unclear.

The Tigers also provided an update on relief pitcher Alex Faedo, who landed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder strain earlier this week, saying that the right-hander received an injection in his shoulder this week and will not pitch again this season. As such, Faedo has been transferred to the 60-day IL, which brings Detroit's 40-man roster count down to 39.

In more positive injury news, right-hander Reese Olson and outfielder Wenceel Pérez are scheduled to participate in a live BP session Saturday. Pérez is also completing all baseball activities, per the Tigers' Major League medical update.

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Emma Lingan

Emma Lingan is an MLB Staff Writer for FanSided primarily covering the Pittsburgh Pirates. She has been covering baseball for more than a decade dating back to her time as a student at Wake Forest University, and she has won two gold medals as a member of the U.S. National Team delegation (2016 Pan-American Championships & 2017 World Baseball Classic). A native of Washington, D.C. and current resident of Nashville, Tenn., she is also entering her seventh season as a credentialed NHL media member and currently covers the NHL’s Nashville Predators for The Hockey News. When she's not watching hockey, baseball or football, she enjoys podcasting, reading, going to the gym, consuming large amounts of coffee and taking long walks with her dog, Minkah. You can follow her @Emma_lingan on Twitter and Instagram.