Hurter placed on IL in latest blow to Tigers' taxed pitching staff
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BALTIMORE -- On a day when closer Kenley Jansen gave up his third walk-off home run of the year, the rest of the Tigers relief corps continued taking on water.
Detroit placed left-handed reliever Brant Hurter on the 15-day IL with lumbar spine inflammation before Sunday’s 5-3 defeat to the Orioles in the opener of a split doubleheader, a loss that brought Detroit’s losing streak to eight.
Between games, the Tigers designated right-hander Connor Seabold for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Troy Melton to come off the 60-day IL and start Sunday’s nightcap.
With Hurter and Melton essentially swapping places, nine Tigers hurlers remain on the injured list, headlined by starters Tarik Skubal and Justin Verlander. Detroit began the weekend series by sending Burch Smith to the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation.
Hurter lands there retroactive to Saturday, after he exited Friday night’s 7-4 loss under duress. In their corresponding move, the Tigers recalled right-hander Ricky Vanasco from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.
Hurter had been one of Hinch’s most reliable relievers, particularly against left-handers. He has pitched to a 2.84 ERA (8 ER, 25.1 IP) in 21 outings.
“It's tough to lose Brant because he, you know, he's part of our attack plan on every lineup,” Hinch said. “And I trust him, especially against lefties. He's a tough look. He can go short. He can go long. So it's another injury that we're going to need to deal with.”
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Detroit added Drew Sommers for left-handed help as the 27th man on the roster for Sunday’s doubleheader.
Seabold had pitched to a 3.45 ERA in 11 innings in his first year with the fifth MLB club of his career. He had allowed only one run over his last four outings, but most of that came in mop-up duty. Before that, the 30-year-old allowed a run in four consecutive appearances across mid-April.
The return of reliever Beau Brieske potentially before the end of May and Verlander in June -- both from the 60-day IL -- means Detroit will soon have to clear two more spots on the 40-man roster. Their returns will hopefully bring some relief to a taxed pitching staff.