Mize set to return in good news for Tigers' injury-plagued rotation

DETROIT – Finally, the Tigers get a bit of good news from their injury-plagued rotation: Casey Mize is back.

The All-Star right-hander will return from the injured list and start Saturday’s game against the Blue Jays, bringing Detroit’s rotation a big step closer to full strength.

Mize hasn’t pitched in a game since April 28, when he left his start in Atlanta in the third inning. The Tigers were optimistic that Mize’s right adductor strain wouldn’t force a lengthy stay on the injured list, but still needed to see him progress enough in terms of throwing. That happened in earnest over the last week or so, and the Tigers felt confident enough to bring him back without a rehab assignment.

“Casey responded well to the multiple bullpens and the live BP that he did down in Lakeland,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “The fact that it’s only been the minimum [15-day IL stint] plus a day, which is really a scheduling thing not a health thing, it gives us comfort knowing that he can go out and give us generally what you’d feel like he would give us [normally], maybe dial back a little bit of the pitch count because the intensity is going to increase.”

Mize had been on a roll when the adductor strain sidelined him, posting a 2.90 ERA and 2.85 FIP over six starts with 35 strikeouts over 31 innings. His 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings is nearly two strikeouts over his career best for a season, posting 8.4 K/9 last year.