Logjam on the mound? Tigers embracing the 'dilemma'

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DETROIT -- The Tigers have just about weathered their storm of pitching injuries that decimated their rotation. Now comes the flip side: Getting those injured pitchers back into the mix.

Finally, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. But it could be the rear lights of the traffic jam ahead.

The Tigers are currently using a four-man rotation thanks to off-days yesterday and Thursday. By this time next week, they could have seven capable starters, requiring some difficult decisions … maybe tempered by a little creativity.

The rest of the homestand is clear: Troy Melton, Framber Valdez and Keider Montero will start against the Twins. Melton, making his fourth start since returning from the injured list, will pitch on an extra day’s rest, while Valdez and Montero will pitch on the standard four days' rest.

The weekend series in Cleveland is when help should arrive. That’s fitting, since it’s a critical series for any chance of getting back into the AL Central race.

The Tigers have had this series as a potential return point for Tarik Skubal ever since they mapped out his throwing routine following surgery a month ago to remove a loose body from his left elbow. Skubal’s five-inning rehab start Sunday for High-A West Michigan put him on schedule to potentially pitch Friday on regular rest if he feels fine with no issues. If the Tigers want to give him an extra day, as they did for the rehab start as well as his simulated game last week, they could start him on Saturday. Jack Flaherty, who started in Sunday’s win over the Mariners, can start Friday or Saturday.

This Sunday’s series finale presents another potential return. Casey Mize, sidelined nearly two weeks with right groin tightness, is scheduled to make a rehab start for Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday. If that goes well and Mize feels fine, he could be on turn for Sunday. If not, the Tigers could start Melton on regular rest, something he has done twice already this season.

Mize has a 2.93 ERA and .215 batting average allowed in five regular-season meetings against the Guardians, and he threw three effective innings during the 2025 AL Wild Card Series. Melton tossed 3 2/3 frames of one-run ball in Cleveland in the final week of the 2025 regular season before allowing four runs in Game 2 of their Wild Card Series.

The decisions get tougher once the Tigers head to Houston next week for three games against the Astros. Justin Verlander, scheduled for a second rehab start for Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, could pitch in that series if Detroit decides he’s ready. So could Melton or Mize, whoever doesn’t pitch Sunday in Cleveland. Valdez would also be in line for that series, making his return to Houston. And don’t forget about Montero.

This is where manager A.J. Hinch could get creative.

The Tigers have bucked the trend of a six-man rotation this season. But with Tuesday beginning a stretch of 23 games in 24 days, and with multiple starters just returning, this could be the opportunity.

“When you have those long stretches, I think you can look into that as a viable option to keep your starters fresh,” Hinch said, “which allows you to push them a little bit more, a little bit deeper into the game. And then having a versatile 'pen the way we built it, I think it’s an advantage to consider that.”

That still leaves one pitcher out. Melton and Montero have had success in relief, and Detroit’s bullpen could use the help. But the Tigers have been consistent with using Melton as a starter this year, and his work in the past couple of weeks has backed them up. Montero has had some excellent starts, albeit alternating with some middling outings over the past few weeks.

If the Tigers don’t want to turn a starter into a traditional reliever, perhaps they could go with a piggyback start like Seattle did with Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo until last weekend.

“I think we have to be open to a lot of things,” Hinch said. “I’m just looking forward to having the dilemma.”