Pair of Detroit Tigers Pitchers Get Good Injury News
Just two weeks ago, we were talking about the Detroit Tigers playing for first place in the American League Central.
Now, we're talking about a Tigers team that at one point had lost nine in a row and is now 28-39 and in fourth place in the division.
However, things are looking up for Detroit as they got a positive injury report on starting pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Spencer Turnbull.
First, on Rodriguez. This update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:
Rodriguez (finger) threw a bullpen session Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
ANALYSIS
It was the first mound workout for Rodriguez since he suffered a ruptured A4 pulley in his left index finger in late May. There's no exact timetable yet for his return to Detroit's rotation, but the 30-year-old southpaw has trended in an encouraging direction since he resumed throwing on flat ground June 6. An early-July target for activation seems achievable as long as he can avoid setbacks.
That's certainly good news for the Tigers ace, who signed a five-year deal before the 2022 season to be the frontman of the rotation.
Rodriguez is 4-4 with a 2.13 ERA in 67.2 innings this year. He's struck out 67 batters and has a WHIP of less than 1 (0.975).
He signed that $77 million contract in Detroit before the 2022 season after spending the 2015-2021 years with the Boston Red Sox. He helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series, going 13-5 that year.
He won 19 games in the 2019 season.
As for Turnbull, also from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:
Turnbull (neck) is on track to begin a throwing program next week, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
ANALYSIS
Turnbull has been limited to strength and conditioning work since he went on the major-league IL in early May due to a neck injury, but he's about ready to take a big step. The 30-year-old right-hander had originally been optioned to Triple-A Toledo before the injury was revealed, so he might be in for a lengthy minor-league rehab stint.
He's certainly in for a longer road ahead but you have to start somewhere. He was just 1-4 this year with a 7.26 ERA. He's 12-29 lifetime with a 4.55 ERA.
He'll be a free agent at the end of the 2023 season.
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