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Where is Casey Mize? Detroit Tigers set pitching plan for upcoming series vs. Rays
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- Where is Casey Mize? Detroit Tigers set pitching plan for upcoming series vs. Rays
BALTIMORE — Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize , whom manager A.J. Hinch previously said was "listed in the starter column," didn't start for the Tigers on Friday, Saturday or Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
The former No. 1 overall draft pick also won't start in any of the upcoming three games against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park.
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Rather, Mize is available out of the bullpen.
"Both Casey and Ty (Madden) will be down in the 'pen, ready to go if we need them," Hinch said before Sunday's game, with one of those pitchers likely to handle the bulk of the innings after left-handed reliever Tyler Holton opens.
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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri.
As for the Rays series, left-hander Tarik Skubal starts Tuesday, right-hander Keider Montero starts Wednesday and right-hander Reese Olson starts Thursday.
"We named the starters for a reason," Hinch said. "That's who we expect to pitch. We can change our mind at any time We've been operating all hands on deck for a while now. We're probably openly admitting it now more than ever."
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The Tigers finish the season with three games against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park, from Friday-Sunday. Skubal is lined up to start Sunday, if needed.
Mize, though, could start Friday's game.
"It'll be something new for him, if it happens today," Hinch said. "It's just getting his routine and getting him up and running. It will give him a chance to come in and empty the tank from pitch one, similar to what he did in his last start in Kansas City."
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Mize, 27, has a 4.36 ERA with 27 walks and 74 strikeouts across 99 innings in 20 starts in the 2024 season, including a 5.02 ERA in three starts since returning from a right hamstring strain. He missed all of 2023 while recovering from elbow surgery and back surgery.
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He owns a 4.32 ERA across 59 starts in his four-year MLB career.
Mize hasn't pitched out of the bullpen since his freshman season at Auburn in 2016.
"I'll be cautious about warming him up," Hinch said. "I doubt I will bring him in to inherit runners. I will use him as someone who has rarely, if ever, come out of the 'pen. It will be new, but one thing I know about Casey is he'll be adaptable and be able to take the ball whenever. My guess is he will pitch with as much adrenaline as ever in that type of role."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers pitching plan doesn't include Casey Mize for series vs Rays
