Tigers Injury Update: Casey Mize hope, Jake Rogers rehab, Parker Meadows progress

Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize (12) watches a play against Kansas City Royals from the dugout during the sixth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Casey Mize (12) watches a play against Kansas City Royals from the dugout during the sixth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 17, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There's good news and bad news about Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize's latest stint on the injured list.

The bad news is pretty obvious. Mize was pitching like a bonafide ace to start the season, and this is the second time in as many seasons that he has landed on the IL with a left hamstring injury. The good news, however, is that Mize has confirmed that this latest injury is extremely mild – so mild, in fact, that he has continued throwing during this IL stint. There's even a chance he could avoid a rehab assignment this time around.

"I'm not shutting down my arm at all," Mize said (via Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press). "Even my normal prep work and routine is the same, with some added rehab stuff. I think that's a positive sign."

That is tremendously positive news for the Tigers and for Mize himself, who missed two months due to last season's hamstring injury. Mize has become an invaluable member of the Tigers' rotation in 2025, posting a 2.53 ERA with nine walks and 35 strikeouts across 42 2/3 innings in seven starts.

The Tigers placed Mize on the 15-day injured list May 10 (retroactive to May 9) with a left hamstring strain, which means he won't be eligible to return until May 24. If he is able to avoid a rehab stint, that timeline could put him back in the rotation during the Tigers' next home stand.

Jake Rogers, Parker Meadows continue progress from injuries with Tigers

Tigers catcher Jake Rogers, who has been on the IL since April 8 with a left oblique strain, began his rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. He has gone 3-for-7 with a pair of doubles and a walk in two games for the Mud Hens, and all signs point to him returning to the Tigers sooner rather than later.

Center fielder Parker Meadows, who opened the season on the injured list with right upper arm nerve discomfort, is also trending in a positive direction after running the bases and making aggressive outfield throws. Meadows is with the Tigers on their current road trip, and he could begin a rehab assignment as soon as they return next week.

More Tigers content from Motor City Bengals