Detroit Tigers activate Jose Urquidy off IL as pitching plans become clearer
MIAMI — Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gibson-Long experienced a neck issue after pitching against the New York Yankees on Thursday, Sept. 11, which prompted the Tigers to make a series of moves.
Gibson-Long, who struggled while giving up seven runs in 2⅓ innings against the Yankees, was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday, Sept. 12.
Additionally, veteran right-hander José Urquidy was reinstated from the 60-day injured list. To make room on the active roster, right-hander Beau Brieske (forearm) was placed on the MLB 60-day IL.
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Gibson-Long experienced “some neck stiffness after his outing yesterday,” manager A.J. Hinch said ahead of the Tigers' series opener against the Miami Marlins on Friday. “In talking to him, he kept referring to some dull pain in his neck that he was getting stiff. So we sent him back to Detroit to get evaluated, and we'll put him on the IL.”
It was a complicated night, considering the Tigers played in New York late on Thursday, then flew to Miami.
“A few moving parts coming out of yesterday, from midnight when we were taking off in New York to land here deep into the night and then get to the ballpark today," Hinch said.
What Detroit Tigers are getting in José Urquidy
The Tigers signed Urquidy, who spent the first five seasons of his MLB career with the Houston Astros , during spring training when he was recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery. It was kind of a futures bet, hoping he would recover in time for the postseason.
"I'm really proud of our Urquidy for his work and his rehab and his diligence," Hinch said.
Urquidy and Hinch have a long history together, as the right-hander made his MLB debut in 2019 while Hinch was managing the Astros.
“Obviously, I have history with him, so I know what he brings to the table,” Hinch said. “You're gonna see a calm demeanor. You're going to see an array of different pitches and the true essence of the pitcher. He can move the ball around the zone. He can mix and match his usage. He's now back to full health.”
He has been built up to pitch around 45-50 pitches.
“We know he can go three or four innings whenever need,” Hinch said. “A super-good dude, so he's going to fit in perfectly here, from being a good teammate and being ready to pitch and take whatever role that we have available.”
Other Tigers injury news
Right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan (right abductor strain) will pitch a bullpen Saturday, Sept. 13, in Miami. Finnegan went on the 15-day IL retroactive to Sept. 1, making him eligible to return on Sept. 16.
Matt Vierling (left oblique strain) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Friday for Triple-A Toledo, starting out as a designated hitter. The plan is to have him off on Saturday and then play again with Toledo on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Right-handed reliever Paul Sewald (right shoulder strain) is scheduled to continue his rehab assignment with Toledo on Saturday. If all goes well, it could be his last minor-league appearance before joining the Tigers. Sewald was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians at July's trade deadline; he has four appearances in the majors this season.
Future pitching plan
Hinch laid out his pitching plan Friday for the next few weeks.
Left-handed ace Tarik Skubal got the start Friday night. Right-hander Charlie Morton is set to start Saturday and the Tigers plan on a bullpen game on Sunday.
“Rather than have Casey ( Mize ) come back on regular rest, we're choosing to push him back and use a number of guys,” Hinch said.
That will allow the Tigers to start their big three next week against the Guardians, who entered Friday trailing the Tigers by 8½ in the American League Central: Mize will start on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Comerica Park, followed by Jack Flaherty on Wednesday, Sept. 17 and Skubal in the series finale on Thursday, Sept. 18.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com . Follow him @seideljeff . To read his recent columns, go to freep.com/sports/jeff-seidel .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jose Urquidy off IL for Detroit Tigers; Sawyer Gipson-Long to IL
