Tigers pitchers and catchers won’t have to worry about facing Kansas City three-time All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt, Jr. — who leads the AL with 30 stolen bases — when the Royals come to town for a four-game series starting Thursday. Witt went on the 10-day injured list Wednesday morning (retroactive to July 21) with low back tightness and won’t be eligible to return until July 31.
Witt sat out Sunday’s game against San Diego, then exited Monday’s game against San Francisco after four innings and two plate appearances.
In 94 games this season, the 26-year-old Witt is batting .279 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs. This is Witt’s first stint on the IL in his five major-league seasons, although he did sit out six games in June with a right knee sprain.
TV/radio: All four games on Detroit Sports Net/97.1 FM
SCOUTING REPORT
LHP Troy Melton (5-1, 1.80), Tigers: The 25-year-old Melton continues to be sharp in his second season and since joining the rotation on May 24. He’s coming off a 5⅔-inning, no-decision performance in the Tigers’ 2-1 win over the Angels last Friday. The lefty walked a season-high four in that one, but matched a season high with nine strikeouts for the second straight game. Melton has allowed just three earned runs in his last five starts (29⅓ innings) for a 0.92 ERA over the span.
RHP Randy Dobnak (0-0, 1.93), Royals: A product of Utica’s United Shore Professional Baseball League, Dobnak is making his fourth appearance and second start with the Royals. In his last outing, he scattered four hits, walked four and gave up one run across 4⅓ innings in a 6-1 win over the Padres. On the season, he’s allowed 13 hits and three runs in 14 innings with eight walks and seven strikeouts.
JavierBáez, out since April 29 with a right ankle sprain, took a step toward returning with a rehab start on Tuesday night for Single-A Lakeland.
He played five innings at shortstop and batted second, going 1-for-2 with a ground-ball single through and a popup near the third-base line. Báez made a solid play in the field on a grounder that took him deep into the hole and an accurate, long throw to first to get the out.
“There was a lot to like with him just being on the field and being active,” Hinch said.
Hinch said Báez would get Wednesday off, then play again for Lakeland on Thursday. Báez is expected to spend much of the week at shortstop, stretching out his innings.
Because I enjoy being hyperbolic, this is the most important series of the season for anybody who wants the Tigers to buy this year. Anything less than 3-1 makes the team sellers.
Damn these Tigers. If my bourbon drinkin’ doesn’t kill me, they will. No other team can make me think “blow it all up” to “we’re kickin ass” in a span of three innings.
Tigers have 9 games left before the trade deadline. I think the Tigers need to go 7-2 to seriously think about making the playoffs to the point where they become buyers rather than sellers. That puts them right at .500.
Series: Four games at Comerica Park, Detroit
