Tigers News: Parker Meadows return, Brant Hurter debut, Casey Mize

After being sidelined for nearly a month with a right hamstring strain, Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows returned to action this weekend in the team's series against the Kansas City Royals.

The 24-year-old started in Saturday's game at Comerica Park, his first appearance for the Tigers since July 7, and what a game it was. Meadows wasted no time making an impact in his return, going 2-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in the Tigers' 6-5 extra-innings win over the Royals.

Although Meadows played all 10 innings in the Tigers' victory and reported no setbacks with his hamstring coming out of Saturday's contest, he still found himself on the bench for Sunday's series finale. Per a report from CBS Sports, it was most likely "a pre-planned maintenance day" for Meadows as he comes off the injury. He will still likely take over as Detroit's primary center fielder moving forward, but Matt Vierling and others may give him some rest days in the short term to help keep his hamstring in good shape.

Tigers News: Hurter impresses in debut, Mize set to begin rehab assignment soon

The Tigers also selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Brant Hurter, whose MLB debut was somewhat of a bright spot in Detroit's gut punch of a loss to the Royals on Sunday. The Tigers' No. 14 prospect, who had a 5.80 ERA across 71 1/3 innings as a starting pitcher with Triple-A Toledo, tossed three scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts in the 3-2 loss. Hurter threw 26 of 36 pitches for strikes against the top of the Royals' order and did his part to help the Tigers protect their slim lead over the Royals until veteran reliever Shelby Miller gave up a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning.

Hurter has traditionally been a starting pitcher, but the Tigers figure to use him primarily as a bulk reliever, as they seem content to continue using a starting "rotation" that consists of just Tarik Skubal and Keider Montero. Hurter joins right-hander Kenta Maeda and left-hander Bryan Sammons as pitchers with starting profiles in Detroit's 11-man bullpen. Watching Hurter drop, drive and sling from the left-hand side wearing No. 48 felt oddly reminiscent of Cleveland's Andrew Miller.

On a related note, right-handed starting pitcher Casey Mize is now able to begin his rehab assignment this week after throwing a live batting practice on Saturday. Mize has been sidelined with a hamstring strain for over a month and won’t be eligible to return from the 60-day IL until August 31, but news of his progress is a positive sign as he builds back up towards MLB action. His eventual return to the Tigers' starting rotation will certainly be a welcome one.

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