back to back series against two of the better teams in the AL. Lets win another series.
Couple of articles from the News:
Going to be interesting to see what they do with the starters going forward as three of them are getting close to returning. Within next two weeks.
# Ty Madden’s move to Tigers bullpen opens spot for Verlander or Skubal in rotation
full article at link.
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Manager AJ Hinch announced right-hander Ty Madden would be moving to the bullpen. That decision has short-term and longer-term implications.
“With the off day Thursday and another Monday, there’s two ways of looking at it,” Hinch said. “You can get a ton of rest for guys (in the rotation). Or you can reconfigure the order a little bit.”
Tigers pitcher Ty Madden (pictured) is being moved to the bullpen, with the team anticipating starters Tarik Skubal and Justin Verlander each nearing a return to the rotation. Julio Aguilar, Getty Images
He chose the latter. Framber Valdez and Keider Montero will start the first two games of the series against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park this weekend with one day of extra rest. Jack Flaherty will start the finale Sunday, which would have been Madden’s start day.
“That was one of the strategies for turning (Madden’s) last start into a bullpen game,” Hinch said, referencing Madden’s 3.1-inning outing Monday. “We pulled him early at 48 pitches, knowing he was going to be ready to pitch out of the 'pen Friday.”
The move also clears a path for a returning starter at some point.
“Looking at it longer over the next couple of weeks, we are hoping to get a couple guys back,” Hinch said. “Justin pitched last night ([five innings in a Triple-A rehab start]
But the time for that discussion, Hinch said, was not Wednesday.
“We’re just focusing on the Seattle series right now,” he said. “Coming out of the off day Monday and going into the Twins series, we will have to figure out where everybody is. But that feels like forever from now just based on where we’re at.
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“We’re going to leave our options open for any adjustments we’re going to make to the staff.”
Verlander, recovering from hip inflammation, hit all of his markers Tuesday night in Iowa. He got five ups, even waiting out a 30-minute, eight-run outburst by the Mud Hens’ offense before going back out for the fifth inning. He threw 64 pitches, 48 strikes with his fastball velocity hitting 95 mph.
A decision will be made before Friday whether Verlander will need to make another rehab start or be activated.
“I haven’t talked to JV live, yet,” Hinch said. “We will get home and see where he’s at. Right now, committing either way is unnecessary.”
Skubal, who had an arthroscopic procedure to remove a loose body in his elbow May 6, threw a bullpen at Tropicana Field before the game Wednesday. His next “start” day is Saturday. It’s possible he will be sent out for a minor-league rehab start, though the location is undecided.
“We are hoping the competition is near,” Hinch said. “We’re not committing to it yet; we don’t have to. If he’s ready, we’re certainly going to consider that a viable option. But going step by step has been so successful for us to this point, we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves.”
Mize, out with a mild groin strain, threw a bullpen Tuesday and would be eligible to come back June 12 without needing a rehab outing.
