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NEW YORK – Everything about this Detroit Tigers season is absurd.
Fifteen guys still on the injured list? Completely ridiculous.
Getting blown out by the New York Mets, 10-2 ,on Tuesday, May 12? Embarrassing.
Losing 11 of 16 games? Unacceptable, even with all the injuries.
Playing sloppy defense? It makes you want to scream.
Failing to knock in runners in clutch moments? It makes you want to scream even louder.
Running into an umpire and then getting thrown out at home? I mean, of course that happened to this team. At this moment. It just fits so perfectly.
Walking too many batters? Everybody, scream with me: Throw! Freakin’! Strikes!
Falling to 19-23 a quarter of the way through the season? It’s starting to get scary. Truly scary. It makes you start to wonder if they can bounce back from this. If they will be sellers at the trade deadline. It reminds me of that old commercial: “Help me, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
That’s what this team looks like right now.
And yet, even though the Tigers are playing ugly baseball – even though they are digging themselves a hole – there’s two ways to look at this.
Here’s one way: The Tigers are tied for last in the American League Central, with the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals, on pace for 73-89 records. (That would be the Tigers' worst mark since 2022, when they went 66-96.)
When you say it like that, it seems dire. It seems like the season is already over. Going from last to first after seven weeks of a season is hard as heck. A daunting task.
But here’s the other way to look at it: The Tigers, Royals and Twins are also tied for third in the Central, just three games back from the first-place Cleveland Guardians. Obviously, they are all still within striking distance. When you think of it that way, knowing all the players who will return, knowing it’s only May, knowing they are at the quarter pole, that hole doesn’t seem so big. The situation doesn’t seem so dire.
Not yet, at least.
So, the Tigers will do what they always do under manager A.J. Hinch.
They will focus only on the next game.
“Obviously you can look at it a lot of different ways,” Hinch said. “We've got to do a lot of better things to make tomorrow better than it was today, but all we have is tomorrow's game.”
The problems facing this team are obvious and easy to point out.
Everything feels jumbled. Nothing feels right. Nothing feels like it has jelled.
So, why is there any hope?
A couple of those missing parts should be arriving shortly.
Yep, as soon as I say that, I think: Quick, knock on wood and wrap these guys in bubble wrap!
Left-hander Framber Valdez, suspended for five games after plunking a hitter last week, is expected to start against the Mets on Wednesday (7:10 p.m., Detroit SportsNet).
WELCOME BACK: What Framber Valdez plans to change upon return from suspension
And right-hander (and 2025 All-Star) Casey Mize is getting close to returning. Mize is set to throw a bullpen on Wednesday in New York. He is not expected to go on a rehab stint. So, if everything goes well, he could start as soon as Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Detroit.
Yes, I know.
In a season like this, nothing is ever guaranteed.
In fact, in a season like this, you almost expect the worst to happen. But Mize was encouraged on Monday after he threw a live bullpen in Lakeland, Florida.
“Feeling good and pleased with my progress,” Mize said Tuesday in New York. “Things are going good. … I just know I feel close. I don’t think I lost much in terms of workload capacity.”
Here’s some other good news: Right-handed pitcher Troy Melton (elbow inflammation) is expected to start for Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. That’s tremendously encouraging news, even if he can’t come off the 60-day IL until May 24.
A LESSON FROM MOM: Kenley Jansen carries mother's final lesson into this Tigers season
Righty Beau Brieske (left adductor strain) threw an inning for Toledo on Tuesday, striking out two and giving up a hit, throwing 19 pitches.
Again, another positive.
Second baseman Gleyber Torres (left oblique strain) started a hitting progression this week. He is also completing fielding and defensive drills and rehabbin daily. And right-hand reliever Will Vest (right forearm inflammation) completed a bullpen session Monday.
“Vest is gonna get off the mound again and face some hitters [Wednesday], which is good,” Hinch said.
That’s encouraging, folks.
MORE FROM JEFF SEIDEL: One child's too-short life meant so much to a Tigers prospect
When Tarik Skubal was injured, I wrote: This team just has to tread water until these injured guys return.
But it seems like all they’ve done is sink.
Don’t mistake losing games for losing hope, though. At least not in the clubhouse.
“I don't think anybody in this clubhouse is panicking about the loss tonight, or where we are in the standings,” Keith said. “We all know we got work to do, going forward. So we're gonna come to the ballfield ready to play.”
Yes, that’s the mantra.
“You just keep trying to pick each other up,” said Jack Flaherty, who started, threw 3⅔ innings and picked up the loss. “Just keep going out, keep showing up, having each other's backs.”
To this point, it’s like this team tries to take one step forward.
But they end up with two pulled groins.
Or another loss.
Or a sore elbow.
With Jake Rogers on the mound pitching in a blowout. Ugh.
And yet, this last-place team knows one thing: Help is on the way.
Let’s hope it’s not too late.
Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers have help coming off IL – if they can slow ugly slide
Continue reading...
Fifteen guys still on the injured list? Completely ridiculous.
Getting blown out by the New York Mets, 10-2 ,on Tuesday, May 12? Embarrassing.
Losing 11 of 16 games? Unacceptable, even with all the injuries.
Playing sloppy defense? It makes you want to scream.
Failing to knock in runners in clutch moments? It makes you want to scream even louder.
Running into an umpire and then getting thrown out at home? I mean, of course that happened to this team. At this moment. It just fits so perfectly.
You must be registered for see images
Walking too many batters? Everybody, scream with me: Throw! Freakin’! Strikes!
Falling to 19-23 a quarter of the way through the season? It’s starting to get scary. Truly scary. It makes you start to wonder if they can bounce back from this. If they will be sellers at the trade deadline. It reminds me of that old commercial: “Help me, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
That’s what this team looks like right now.
And yet, even though the Tigers are playing ugly baseball – even though they are digging themselves a hole – there’s two ways to look at this.
Here’s one way: The Tigers are tied for last in the American League Central, with the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals, on pace for 73-89 records. (That would be the Tigers' worst mark since 2022, when they went 66-96.)
When you say it like that, it seems dire. It seems like the season is already over. Going from last to first after seven weeks of a season is hard as heck. A daunting task.
But here’s the other way to look at it: The Tigers, Royals and Twins are also tied for third in the Central, just three games back from the first-place Cleveland Guardians. Obviously, they are all still within striking distance. When you think of it that way, knowing all the players who will return, knowing it’s only May, knowing they are at the quarter pole, that hole doesn’t seem so big. The situation doesn’t seem so dire.
Not yet, at least.
So, the Tigers will do what they always do under manager A.J. Hinch.
They will focus only on the next game.
“Obviously you can look at it a lot of different ways,” Hinch said. “We've got to do a lot of better things to make tomorrow better than it was today, but all we have is tomorrow's game.”
Some missing parts should come back soon, seriously
The problems facing this team are obvious and easy to point out.
Everything feels jumbled. Nothing feels right. Nothing feels like it has jelled.
So, why is there any hope?
A couple of those missing parts should be arriving shortly.
Yep, as soon as I say that, I think: Quick, knock on wood and wrap these guys in bubble wrap!
Left-hander Framber Valdez, suspended for five games after plunking a hitter last week, is expected to start against the Mets on Wednesday (7:10 p.m., Detroit SportsNet).
You must be registered for see images
WELCOME BACK: What Framber Valdez plans to change upon return from suspension
And right-hander (and 2025 All-Star) Casey Mize is getting close to returning. Mize is set to throw a bullpen on Wednesday in New York. He is not expected to go on a rehab stint. So, if everything goes well, he could start as soon as Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Detroit.
Yes, I know.
In a season like this, nothing is ever guaranteed.
In fact, in a season like this, you almost expect the worst to happen. But Mize was encouraged on Monday after he threw a live bullpen in Lakeland, Florida.
“Feeling good and pleased with my progress,” Mize said Tuesday in New York. “Things are going good. … I just know I feel close. I don’t think I lost much in terms of workload capacity.”
Here’s some other good news: Right-handed pitcher Troy Melton (elbow inflammation) is expected to start for Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. That’s tremendously encouraging news, even if he can’t come off the 60-day IL until May 24.
A LESSON FROM MOM: Kenley Jansen carries mother's final lesson into this Tigers season
Righty Beau Brieske (left adductor strain) threw an inning for Toledo on Tuesday, striking out two and giving up a hit, throwing 19 pitches.
Again, another positive.
Second baseman Gleyber Torres (left oblique strain) started a hitting progression this week. He is also completing fielding and defensive drills and rehabbin daily. And right-hand reliever Will Vest (right forearm inflammation) completed a bullpen session Monday.
“Vest is gonna get off the mound again and face some hitters [Wednesday], which is good,” Hinch said.
That’s encouraging, folks.
You must be registered for see images
MORE FROM JEFF SEIDEL: One child's too-short life meant so much to a Tigers prospect
Scary times for Tigers
When Tarik Skubal was injured, I wrote: This team just has to tread water until these injured guys return.
But it seems like all they’ve done is sink.
Don’t mistake losing games for losing hope, though. At least not in the clubhouse.
“I don't think anybody in this clubhouse is panicking about the loss tonight, or where we are in the standings,” Keith said. “We all know we got work to do, going forward. So we're gonna come to the ballfield ready to play.”
Yes, that’s the mantra.
“You just keep trying to pick each other up,” said Jack Flaherty, who started, threw 3⅔ innings and picked up the loss. “Just keep going out, keep showing up, having each other's backs.”
To this point, it’s like this team tries to take one step forward.
But they end up with two pulled groins.
Or another loss.
Or a sore elbow.
With Jake Rogers on the mound pitching in a blowout. Ugh.
And yet, this last-place team knows one thing: Help is on the way.
Let’s hope it’s not too late.
Contact Jeff Seidel: [email protected]. Follow him on X @seideljeff.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers have help coming off IL – if they can slow ugly slide
Continue reading...
