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For depleted Detroit Tigers pitching staff, off-days coming at right time
TL;DR
The Detroit Tigers' pitching staff is set to benefit from upcoming off-days, allowing them to avoid bullpen games and strategize for Casey Mize and Justin Verlander's return. These breaks come at a crucial time for the team.
Key points
- Tigers' pitching staff is currently depleted
- Upcoming off-days are crucial for the team
- Keider Montero will start against the Royals
- Off-days allow assessment of Casey Mize and Justin Verlander
- Avoiding bullpen games is a priority for the Tigers
Detroit TigersKansas City RoyalsNew York Mets
Kansas City. Mo. â Itâs hard to call it a saving grace, given all thatâs gone on around it. But the off-day Thursday and the one coming up Monday could not have come at a more fortuitous time for the Tigers' depleted pitching staff.
Not only do those days allow the Tigers to get through the series against the New York Mets without deploying another bullpen game, they give the club some extra days to work out when and where Casey Mize and Justin Verlander might fit in.
Keider Montero will start Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals.
âThe stretch right after the two off-days is going to be a critical time to have more information on Casey and Justin, specifically,â manager AJ Hinch said.
Mize, who has been out since April 28 with a groin strain, is trending toward getting back into the competition potentially during the next homestand (against Toronto and Cleveland). He has continued to throw while rehabbing the groin, but it is possible he will need to make a rehab start with Triple-A Toledo.
Verlander, out since April 1 with hip inflammation, is expected to pitch against hitters in a sim game this weekend. Missing more than a month, it is likely he also will need a rehab start or two.
But Hinch, pitching coach Chris Fetter and the training and medical staffs will make those decisions in due time. More pressing is the pitching plan for this road trip, made more difficult by the five-game suspension levied on Framber Valdez for what the league deemed intentionally throwing a pitch at Tuesday night.
Q&A
Why are the off-days important for the Detroit Tigers' pitching staff?
The off-days provide the Tigers with a chance to avoid bullpen games and assess the return of key pitchers Casey Mize and Justin Verlander.
Who is starting for the Tigers against the Kansas City Royals?
Keider Montero will start for the Tigers in the series opener against the Kansas City Royals.
What is the significance of the upcoming games after the off-days for the Tigers?
The games following the off-days are critical for the Tigers to gather more information on the status of Casey Mize and Justin Verlander.
How has the Tigers' pitching staff been affected recently?
The Tigers' pitching staff has been depleted, necessitating the use of bullpen games, which the off-days will help them avoid.