Tigers option Ty Madden to Toledo, but it might not be for long
· Yahoo Sports
Cleveland — The Tigers optioned right-hander Ty Madden to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday to clear a spot for the return of Tarik Skubal.
But manager AJ Hinch basically told Madden to stay close to his phone. He might not be down for long.
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“There is going to be a little back and forth and that’s what I told Ty,” Hinch said. “He pitched great yesterday and I like him in that hybrid role. I think he can start, too. He’s going to continue to get opportunities, especially if he continues to handle his arsenal the way he is.”
Madden pitched two scoreless innings Friday night, finishing his outing by striking out the side in the eighth inning. In seven games, he’s posted a 3.15 ERA with 23 strikeouts and five walks, holding hitters to a .211/.268/.316 slash line.
Pitching off 93-mph four-seamers and sinkers, he’s kept hitters off balance and off barrels with sliders (.167 opponent average, 37.5% whiff rate) and cutters (.125, 38.5% whiff). And the best version of himself is when he can effectively add his splitter into that mix.
Hinch indicated that Madden will likely go into the Mud Hens starting rotation, even if his role with the Tigers would remain as a bulk reliever.
“He’s still a young pitcher developing,” Hinch said. “Getting him in these routines is really important. I think starting is valuable to him. Facing lineups multiple times and getting stretched out. And even like last night, just when you think we have too many starters, we’re dealing with another starter injury today.”
The Tigers, who got Skubal back Saturday and will get Casey Mize back on Sunday, placed Jack Flaherty on the injured list with a left peroneal strain. He left the game after three innings Friday with lower left leg discomfort.
“It’s always easier for pitchers to go from starter to the bullpen, rather than trying to go from reliever to starter,” Hinch said.
The Tigers will have to make another roster move Sunday to accommodate Mize.
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Tigers at Guardians
First pitch: 1:40 p.m. Sunday, Progressive Field, Cleveland
TV/radio: DSN/97.1, 107.9
SCOUTING REPORT
RHP Casey Mize (2-3, 2.27), Tigers: This will be his first start back after missing two turns through the rotation with a groin strain. It was his second short IL stint, but in between, he’s been lights out, allowing two runs or less in eight of his nine starts. Opponents are hitting .200 against him with just a .318 slug (he’s allowed two homers all season). His fastball command has been precise and off that he’s been able to work his bullet slider (.114 average, 34.7% whiff) and splitter (.226, 32.4% whiff) effectively.
RHP Gavin Williams (9-3, 3.32), Guardians: He’s coming off back-to-back starts against the Yankees (he gave up three earned runs in each and didn’t complete six innings in either), which is no fun. He continues to be a tough at-bat for all hitters, but especially lefties. With his 97-mph four-seamer (and 7-foot arm extension), sweeper, curveball and cutter, he’s holding them to a .199 average and .660 OPS with a 29% strikeout rate. He’s been hit harder this year than in the past. The average exit velocity (91.1 mph) and hard-hit rate (48.6%) would be career highs.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers pitcher Ty Madden optioned to Triple-A Toledo