AJ Hinch has decided to maintain the current order of the Tigers' rotation, allowing players an extra day of rest. Changes may occur when Justin Verlander is ready to return from the injured list.
Detroit — With the day off Monday, manager AJ Hinch had a chance to alter the order of the Tigers’ rotation. He chose to leave it alone.
“We’re gauging it on everybody getting an extra day of rest for this go-around,” he said. “There’s going to be a time when we maneuver it.”
Manager AJ Hinch will not alter the order of the Tigers' starting rotation yet, with Framber Valdez (pictured) starting Tuesday against the Royals.
That time could be when Justin Verlander is ready to rejoin the rotation. On the 15-day injured list with hip inflammation, he threw a high-intensity bullpen Saturday. Hinch said he likely will need to throw at least one more before he either makes a rehab start at Triple-A Toledo or pitches in a sim game.
“There is going to be a re-entry at some point,” Hinch said. “Right now, for the Royals series, it was laid out perfectly.”
So the order stays the same this week, with Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty and Keider Montero working the three games against Kansas City.
“I am not sure if we will continue that,” he said. “We are going into a long stretch of games (13 straight), so it’s harder to insert an extra starter without making a transaction. We will see how it plays out. We will put it together series by series.”
More: Tigers' Tarik Skubal applauds all-out defensive effort vs. Marlins
The Tigers have started the season facing a run of 16 straight right-handed starters. It’s the longest such streak to start the season since they faced 18 straight righties to start 2019. It’s the longest stretch in baseball since Milwaukee faced 21 straight righties in 2021.
"This has probably been the longest stretch I can remember in my career where it's been so one-sided," Hinch said.
But it ends Tuesday. The Royals are sending lefty Cole Ragans to the bump to open the three-game series at Comerica Park. And they will use lefty Kris Bubic in the finale.
All of which is music to the ears of Tigers’ right-handed swingers Jahmai Jones and Matt Vierling.
“We have a group thread that we send out with the probables for the next series,” Hinch said. “And all we needed to send out with the Royals was Jahmai’s picture and everyone would understand.”
Jones is on the team to mash left-handed pitching, as he validated with a .970 OPS against lefties last season. But, given the flood of righties, he’s only had 10 plate appearances this season, six against lefties.
“I’m just here to win games,” Jones said. “Sure, I want to be able to play and have more opportunity to help. But my time will come and I’ll be ready.”
Of course, facing Ragans and Bubic is no picnic.
“Yeah, these are tough lefties we’re about to face,” Hinch said. “But we’re going to get a couple of lefties in the Boston series (this weekend), as well. Getting our guys some looks at left-handed pitching is going to be good for them.”
Riley Greene got two more hits Sunday, extending his on-base streak to 16 games. Since 1995, he’s one of four Tigers who have reached based in at least 16 games to start a season. He joins Brandon Inge, who had a 21-game streak in 2005 and a 24-game streak in 2009, Travis Fryman, 17 games in 1997 and Chad Curtis, 18 games in 1995.
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: AJ Hinch keeping same order for Detroit Tigers rotation, for now
AJ Hinch is keeping the same order to provide players with an extra day of rest during this period.
Justin Verlander is currently on the 15-day injured list and will likely need to throw at least one more bullpen session before returning.
Justin Verlander is recovering from hip inflammation, which has placed him on the injured list.
Framber Valdez is scheduled to start for the Tigers against the Royals on Tuesday.
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