DETROIT – Just when the Tigers’ injury-plagued pitching staff receives good news, another injury pops up.
On Friday, hours after the Tigers announced Casey Mize’s expected return on Saturday, they have potentially lost Ty Madden, who left Detroit’s series opener against Toronto after taking a hard-hit comebacker off his right arm.
Madden, making his third appearance of the season in place of Mize, entered in the second inning for what was supposed to be a bulk relief outing. He retired George Springer to strand two runners in the second inning, but Blue Jays rookie Yohendrick Piñango led off the third inning by sending a line drive back up the middle with a 107.9-mph exit velocity. Madden tried to react but had virtually no time before the ball came in on what appeared to be his right forearm.
Madden not only stayed on his feet, but gathered the ball. He did not throw it as Piñango dashed down the line to first. Manager A.J. Hinch and the Tigers’ athletic training staff came to the mound, and Madden left the game without attempting a warm-up pitch.
It’s a tough break not only for the Tigers but for Madden, who missed all of last season with a right shoulder strain. His return was one of the bright spots of Spring Training, and he earned a return to Detroit after six appearances at Triple-A Toledo.
The Tigers have more starting help on the way if Madden misses time, but likely not until the end of the month. Troy Melton, Detroit’s rookie sensation down the stretch last year, has looked good on his rehab assignment after suffering elbow inflammation in Spring Training but isn’t eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until late May. Justin Verlander continues to work towards a potential return from left hip inflammation but isn’t eligible until the end of the month, also on the 60-day IL.