Tigers Injury Updates: Casey Mize, Justin Verlander, Kenley Jansen rehab timelines

The Detroit Tigers could soon receive a significant boost to their pitching staff, and not just from Tarik Skubal.

While much of the attention has centered on Skubal's surprisingly quick recovery from arthroscopic elbow surgery, manager A.J. Hinch provided encouraging updates on three other key pitchers who are also nearing returns from the injured list.

The most notable update may belong to Justin Verlander, who is scheduled to make his second rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday after an impressive first outing last week. The future Hall of Famer tossed five scoreless innings while striking out three batters, showing little rust despite missing nearly the entire season up to this point with left hip inflammation.

Given how effective he looked in that first appearance, Detroit may not need much more evidence before activating him. Unless Verlander experiences a setback, a third rehab start appears unlikely, putting him on track to rejoin the Tigers' rotation sometime in the near future.

Tigers Injury Updates: Casey Mize, Kenley Jansen likely nearing return

Casey Mize may be even closer to returning. The right-hander landed on the injured list at the end of May due to right adductor inflammation, but he's slated to make a rehab appearance for Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday that could serve as little more than a final tune-up before he's activated.

The Tigers have every reason to be encouraged by this progress. Mize has been one of Detroit's more reliable starters this season, and getting him back would be a massive boost to the rotation. Still, they will want to monitor Mize's rehab start closely and avoid rushing him back too quickly for the sake of his long-term health.

Meanwhile, veteran closer Kenley Jansen has been sidelined with pelvic inflammation since late May and is also expected to make a rehab appearance Tuesday. Like Mize, Jansen likely won't require an extended rehab assignment. If all goes according to plan, he could be back anchoring Detroit's bullpen before long.

The challenge for Hinch and the Tigers may soon shift from surviving injuries to finding enough innings for everyone. Once Skubal, Verlander, and Mize return, Detroit could find itself with seven viable starting pitchers competing for rotation spots. Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Keider Montero, and Troy Melton have held down the rotation in their absence, but someone will inevitably have to move aside.

Melton and Montero appear to be the most likely candidates for a bullpen role or option to Triple-A, though Hinch hinted that a six-man rotation remains under consideration.

Regardless of how Detroit structures its staff, these injury updates represent welcome news for a Tigers team hoping to make a second-half push. Reinforcements are coming, and they could arrive sooner than expected.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow