Tigers' Mize to return, start against Blue Jays on Saturday

The Tigers are finally getting reinforcements to their roster, as one of their top pitchers is returning to the mound.

Casey Mize is making the start in today's game against the Blue Jays, still slated to begin at 1 p.m. through a forecast of rain that's going through the city of Detroit.

Apr 28, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (12) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

To activate Mize off the injured list, the Tigers have announced that Brenan Hanifee has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

Mize (2-2) will make his first start since April 28 where he suffered a right groin strain, the same game that Javier Báez injured his ankle to land on the injured list.

Mize was one of nine Tigers pitchers to be on the IL-list, as he's been on the 15-day IL since that loss to the Braves. Although he never pitched a game while in Toledo for rehab assignment, there was enough that manager A.J. Hinch heard of Mize's progress to allow the starting pitcher to come back immediately.

But Mize's return isn't the only good news for the Tigers' pitching staff. Ace Tarik Skubal is said to have already started throwing just over a week after his surgery on May 6, and both and made pitching appearances in yesterday's game in Toledo as part of their own rehab assignments.