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Detroit Tigers reliever Burch Smith sidelined with shoulder injury
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- Detroit Tigers reliever Burch Smith sidelined with shoulder injury
BALTIMORE – Burch Smith has been one of the best relievers in the Detroit Tigers ' bullpen.
He just landed on the injured list.
The Tigers placed Smith on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, making the roster move Friday, May 22, before the opener of a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
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To replace him, the Tigers recalled right-handed reliever Brenan Hanifee from Triple-A Toledo.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Burch Smith (65) throws against Cleveland Guardians during the eighth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
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The severity of Smith's injury is unclear.
The 36-year-old right-hander received a cortisone injection Friday afternoon, and upon being evaluated, the Tigers determined he wouldn't be available.
Smith, a seven-year MLB veteran, owns a 3.18 ERA with seven walks and 20 strikeouts across 17 innings in 13 games (one start). He has an above-average 27.4% strikeout rate, which ranks in the 83rd percentile among MLB pitchers.
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This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Burch Smith on Detroit Tigers injured list with shoulder inflammation
