Another absurd Detroit Tigers loss – but there's help on the way soon

When you say it like that, it seems dire. It seems like the season is already over. Going from last to first after seven weeks of a season is hard as heck. A daunting task.

But here’s the other way to look at it: The Tigers, Royals and Twins are also tied for third in the Central, just three games back from the first-place Cleveland Guardians. Obviously, they are all still within striking distance. When you think of it that way, knowing all the players who will return, knowing it’s only May, knowing they are at the quarter pole, that hole doesn’t seem so big. The situation doesn’t seem so dire.

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field.

Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith (33) hits a double against the New York Mets during the third inning at Citi Field.

Detroit Tigers infielder Gage Workman (99) reacts after hitting a double against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty (9) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field.

Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel Perez (46) scores a run on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Spencer Torkelson (not pictured) during the second inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

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Tigers take on MLB-worst Mets in New York interleague action

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field.

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Tigers take on MLB-worst Mets in New York interleague action

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) crosses home plate after hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field.

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Tigers take on MLB-worst Mets in New York interleague action

Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith (33) hits a double against the New York Mets during the third inning at Citi Field.

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Tigers take on MLB-worst Mets in New York interleague action

Detroit Tigers infielder Gage Workman (99) reacts after hitting a double against the New York Mets during the second inning at Citi Field.

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Tigers take on MLB-worst Mets in New York interleague action

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty (9) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field.

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Tigers take on MLB-worst Mets in New York interleague action

Detroit Tigers right fielder Wenceel Perez (46) scores a run on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Spencer Torkelson (not pictured) during the second inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Not yet, at least.

So, the Tigers will do what they always do under manager A.J. Hinch.

They will focus only on the next game.

“Obviously you can look at it a lot of different ways,” Hinch said. “We've got to do a lot of better things to make tomorrow better than it was today, but all we have is tomorrow's game.”

Some missing parts should come back soon, seriously

The problems facing this team are obvious and easy to point out.

Everything feels jumbled. Nothing feels right. Nothing feels like it has jelled.

So, why is there any hope?

A couple of those missing parts should be arriving shortly.

Yep, as soon as I say that, I think: Quick, knock on wood and wrap these guys in bubble wrap!

Left-hander Framber Valdez, suspended for five games after plunking a hitter last week, is expected to start against the Mets on Wednesday (7:10 p.m., Detroit SportsNet).

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty (9) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field.

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And right-hander (and 2025 All-Star) Casey Mize is getting close to returning. Mize is set to throw a bullpen on Wednesday in New York. He is not expected to go on a rehab stint. So, if everything goes well, he could start as soon as Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Detroit.

Yes, I know.

In a season like this, nothing is ever guaranteed.

In fact, in a season like this, you almost expect the worst to happen. But Mize was encouraged on Monday after he threw a live bullpen in Lakeland, Florida.

“Feeling good and pleased with my progress,” Mize said Tuesday in New York. “Things are going good. … I just know I feel close. I don’t think I lost much in terms of workload capacity.”

Here’s some other good news: Right-handed pitcher Troy Melton (elbow inflammation) is expected to start for Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. That’s tremendously encouraging news, even if he can’t come off the 60-day IL until May 24.

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Righty Beau Brieske (left adductor strain) threw an inning for Toledo on Tuesday, striking out two and giving up a hit, throwing 19 pitches.

Again, another positive.

Second baseman Gleyber Torres (left oblique strain) started a hitting progression this week. He is also completing fielding and defensive drills and rehabbin daily. And right-hand reliever Will Vest (right forearm inflammation) completed a bullpen session Monday.

“Vest is gonna get off the mound again and face some hitters [Wednesday], which is good,” Hinch said.

That’s encouraging, folks.

New York Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing (9) hits an RBI triple during the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field.

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Scary times for Tigers

When Tarik Skubal was injured, I wrote: This team just has to tread water until these injured guys return.

But it seems like all they’ve done is sink.

Don’t mistake losing games for losing hope, though. At least not in the clubhouse.

“I don't think anybody in this clubhouse is panicking about the loss tonight, or where we are in the standings,” Keith said. “We all know we got work to do, going forward. So we're gonna come to the ballfield ready to play.”

Yes, that’s the mantra.

“You just keep trying to pick each other up,” said Jack Flaherty, who started, threw 3⅔ innings and picked up the loss. “Just keep going out, keep showing up, having each other's backs.”

To this point, it’s like this team tries to take one step forward.

But they end up with two pulled groins.

Or another loss.

Or a sore elbow.

With Jake Rogers on the mound pitching in a blowout. Ugh.

And yet, this last-place team knows one thing: Help is on the way.

Let’s hope it’s not too late.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers have help coming off IL – if they can slow ugly slide