Detroit Tigers: Injury Updates and Key Player Movements
It's been a challenging season for the Detroit Tigers, with several key players facing injuries and undergoing surgeries. Here’s a detailed look at the latest updates, rehabilitation progress, and what these developments mean for the team’s future.
Alex Lange: Surgery and Season-Ending Injury
Alex Lange, the Tigers' right-handed reliever, is out for the remainder of the 2024 season due to a serious injury. After a latissimus dorsi strain, Lange suffered a right lat avulsion injury while pitching for Triple-A Toledo. He will undergo surgery early next week, and the Tigers will provide a timeline for his recovery post-surgery. This injury significantly impacts Lange, who was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on May 23 due to strike-throwing issues.
In the 2023 season, Lange served as the Tigers' closer, recording 26 saves in 32 opportunities. However, his performance dipped in 2024, leading to his demotion. With the Tigers, he had a 4.34 ERA, 17 walks, and 21 strikeouts across 18⅔ innings in 21 relief appearances. At Triple-A Toledo, Lange posted a 3.12 ERA with one walk and 12 strikeouts in 8⅔ innings over nine relief appearances. He sustained the lat strain throwing a curveball for a swinging strikeout with the Mud Hens.
If Lange misses just a week more of major league play this season, his projected free agency will shift from after the 2027 season to after the 2028 season. This is a considerable delay, affecting both his career trajectory and the Tigers' long-term planning.
Jackson Jobe: Rehab and Return Prospects
Jackson Jobe, one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, is making his way back from a left hamstring strain. The 21-year-old right-hander completed a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan, tossing two innings in his first start since his injury on May 1. Jobe allowed two runs on two hits, with one walk and one strikeout over 29 pitches.
He showed promise by striking out Sal Stewart, one of the Cincinnati Reds' top hitting prospects, with an elevated 99 mph fastball to end the first inning. Jobe’s impressive start hints at a strong return to Double-A Erie, where he posted a 2.16 ERA with 10 walks and 24 strikeouts across 16⅔ innings before his injury.
Izaac Pacheco: Hand Surgery and Recovery
Third baseman Izaac Pacheco underwent surgery on June 11 for a right hamate excision after injuring his hand while batting on June 6 with High-A West Michigan. Pacheco, an offense-first prep prospect selected by the Tigers as the No. 39 overall pick in the 2021 draft, has struggled this season, hitting .198 with four home runs, 14 walks, and 72 strikeouts across 48 games.
In the previous season, Pacheco struck out 160 times in 119 games, hitting .211 with 12 home runs. His recovery and return will be crucial for the Tigers, who are keen to see improvement in his offensive performance.
Freddy Pacheco: Tommy John Surgery Rehab
Freddy Pacheco, a right-handed reliever, is on the mend following Tommy John surgery in June 2023. He started a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League, pitching one inning and facing four batters. Despite allowing a leadoff double, he managed to get Joey Votto, who is also rehabbing, to ground out.
Before his injury, Pacheco had a solid 2022 season with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization, posting a 3.05 ERA with 28 walks and 84 strikeouts across 62 innings. His return is highly anticipated, as he brings a powerful two-pitch mix of a 97 mph four-seam fastball and an 84 mph slider.
Additional Injury Updates
The Tigers have several other players dealing with injuries and in various stages of recovery:
-
Jack Bushell, an 18-year-old right-hander from Australia, underwent Tommy John surgery. Before his injury, Bushell pitched 12⅔ innings in the Florida Complex League.
-
Josue Briceño, a 19-year-old catcher, is recovering from a right knee PCL sprain. He is hitting .306 with two home runs, 15 walks, and 17 strikeouts in 28 games with Low-A Lakeland.
-
Wilmer Flores, a right-handed reliever, is dealing with a right shoulder stress reaction. He has a 6.04 ERA with 19 walks and 19 strikeouts in 22⅓ innings in 13 relief appearances with Triple-A Toledo.
-
Brendan White, another right-handed reliever, began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League. The 25-year-old has faced an elbow injury since spring training but has not undergone surgery. He remains on the Tigers' 40-man roster.
-
Adam Wolf, a 27-year-old reliever, is out with a right ankle stress fracture sustained on June 8. He has posted a 3.09 ERA with 16 walks and 27 strikeouts across 32 innings in 16 games for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.
Conclusion
The Detroit Tigers are navigating a season rife with injuries, significantly affecting their roster and performance. The return of key players like Jobe and Pacheco, along with the successful recovery of Lange, Freddy Pacheco, and others, will be crucial for the team's future prospects. As these players progress through their rehabs, fans and the organization alike remain hopeful for a stronger, healthier lineup in the coming seasons.
Login