The Detroit Tigers designated left-hander Joey Wentz for assignment on Friday, opening up a spot on the 40-man roster for the return of right-hander Casey Mize (hamstring) from the 60-day injured list. The Tigers haven't officially named a starter for their game on Friday at Comerica Park against the Boston Red Sox, but it's expected to be Mize. The 27-year-old won't be a recommended streaming option on Friday evening against the visiting BoSox, mainly because he's returning after missing two months due to a hamstring strain, even if he posted a 2.63 ERA with 17 strikeouts and only four walks in 13 2/3 innings with Triple-A Toledo in his four minor-league rehab starts. The former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn deserves attention in deeper-mixed fantasy leagues now that he's back. He's gone 2-6 with a 4.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a weak 16.8% strikeout rate in his 16 starts in 2024.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (hamstring) made his second start for Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, allowing one hit and one walk in 3 1/3 scoreless innings against Charlotte in a 50-pitch outing. He threw a near-even mix of fastballs, sinkers, and splitters, but his velocity was a tick down from his season averages across the board. Mize has now thrown 5 2/3 scoreless innings over two minor-league rehab outings so far. He'll make another appearance in the minors on Sunday, as the Tigers can afford to be cautious and build up his workload slowly before he's eligible to return from the 60-day injured list on Aug. 30. The former No. 1 overall pick is working his way back from a strained left hamstring, and he should be back in Detroit's rotation before the end of the month if all continues to go well in his rehab.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (hamstring) is set to start for Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday as part of his rehab assignment. This will mark Mize's second start of his rehab assignment as he threw two and a third innings on Thursday and looked solid. The 27-year-old will be set to make a few more rehab starts after that and won't be eligible to rejoin the Tigers' injury depleted rotation until August 30th. Mize posted a 4.23 ERA before hitting the injured list, driven by a subpar 6.56 ERA in May sandwich between solid months in April and June. With the Tigers out of the playoff picture, Detroit will likely ease Mize back into the rotation in September and keep him on a pitch count to preserve his health. Fantasy managers should prepare accordingly. Outside of Tarik Skubal, no other starting pitchers in Detroit's current rotation are viable fantasy options.

To make room for left-hander Bryan Sammons on the 40-man roster, the Detroit Tigers announced on Monday that they transferred right-hander Casey Mize (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. The 27-year-old won't be able to return to Detroit's starting rotation now until early September. It's a disappointment since he's only dealing with a left-hamstring strain. Fantasy managers that may have been stashing him in deep single-year leagues can probably let go now. The former first overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft out of Auburn made his return to the majors in 2024 for the first time since 2022 and has gone 2-6 with a 4.23 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and 21 walks in 78 2/3 innings over 16 starts. Mize's career to this point has been marred by injuries, but he's also had a below-average 18.2% strikeout rate in 267 1/3 innings for the Tigers.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday as he continues to rehab from a left-hamstring strain that he suffered in late June. Saturday's session will be Mize's first time throwing off a mound since he hurt his hammy, and he'll likely need another bullpen before being cleared to face live hitters again. The 27-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn will also probably need a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Detroit's starting rotation, so he's likely at least several weeks away from returning. In his first time in the majors since 2022, Mize has gone 2-6 this year with a 4.23 ERA (3.67 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with a 58:21 K:BB in 16 starts (78 2/3 frames). His 16.8% strikeout rate has left a lot to be desire in fantasy circles in his first year back from injury.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (hamstring) has already been ruled out for the team's upcoming road trip from Friday through Thursday, July 25, against the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Guardians. The Tigers are being cautious with Mize, who will continue to rehab his injured hamstring in Lakeland, Florida, at the team's spring training facility. The hope is that the 27-year-old will be able to throw off a mound soon after having not appeared at all in July to this point with a left-hamstring strain. Before he's cleared to rejoin Detroit's starting rotation, Mize is also going to need to make at least one minor-league rehab start, so fantasy managers can't expect him to return until at least early August. The former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn has been up and down in his first year in the big leagues since 2022, going 2-6 with a 4.23 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 58 K's in 78 2/3 innings.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (hamstring) will be placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with a hamstring injury that he suffered in his last start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels. It was initially believed that Mize was suffering from a hamstring cramp on Sunday, but it turned out to be a more serious injury that will now sideline him through the All-Star break in mid-July. Jack Flaherty is dealing with more back problems and will miss his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins, so the team's No. 5 prospect, Keider Montero, will be called up from Triple-A Toledo to make his second big-league start on Wednesday. Montero, who struggled in his first MLB start, could stick in Detroit's rotation following the All-Star break if he pitches well on Wednesday and Mize isn't ready to go when he's eligible to come off the IL.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that right-hander Casey Mize (hamstring) is likely an injured-list candidate and that his hamstring was more of an injury than just a leg cramp. Mize left his last start early on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels with a left-hamstring injury. It was initially believed that the 27-year-old was just dealing with a cramp, but the injury appears a bit more serious now. If he is indeed put on the 15-day injured list, Mize will be unavailable for the Tigers and fantasy managers through the All-Star break in mid-July. In his first season in the big leagues since 2022, Mize has gone 2-6 with a 4.23 ERA (3.68 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and 21 walks in 78 2/3 innings over his 16 starts. It's been a bit disappointing that his strikeout rate sits at a weak 16.8%. Matt Manning and Keider Montero are the two likeliest options to take over for Mize in Detroit's rotation.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (hamstring) was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The right-hander was seen grabbing his hamstring after trying to go after a foul pop-up. He was taken out with one out in the sixth inning and a 7-0 lead. Before exiting, Mize allowed three hits, walked two batters, and struck out two hitters. Alex Faedo took over on the mound and could be a candidate to move into the rotation if Mize misses time. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on his status.

Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize allowed three runs on eight hits across 4 1/3 innings of work during Sunday's 14-11 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. He walked two batters and did not record a strikeout. Mize has had a rocky May as he owns a 6.56 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 16:6 K:BB across five starts this month. The poor stretch of play may ultimately cost the 27-year-old his rotation spot as right-hander Matt Manning has seen increased playing time as of late. Mize has certainly not lived up to the hype after being selected first overall in the 2018 draft. He is best left on the waiver wire at this point.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize was able to hold the Minnesota Twins offense in check during Sunday's game. The right-hander threw six shutout innings during the 6-1 victory. This was his first win since Aug. 24, 2021 so a big milestone for Mize. He wasn't great on the mound, allowing five hits and three walks during this game. However, Mize was able to keep the Twins from scoring. He holds a 2.95 ERA through four starts this season.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize surrendered three earned runs across 4 1/3 innings on Thursday in Game 1 of a twin bill against the New York Mets. It was the former No. 1 overall pick's first start since April 14, 2022 as he underwent Tommy John surgery and ended up missing the entire 2023 season, as well. He issued two walks and struck out four on the afternoon. Mize's only full MLB campaign came in the 2021 season when he tossed a 3.71 ERA across 30 starts before making only two outings a season ago. He sports a 4.29 ERA across 39 career big-league starts but his 18.7% K% has put a damper on his fantasy value.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (elbow) has made the team's starting rotation after fellow righty Matt Manning was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Friday. Mize, Manning, and Reese Olson were in competition for the final two rotation spots with the Tigers. Additionally, Mize is unlikely to face restrictions to begin the season, although the team is going to monitor his innings as the season goes along in his return from Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old hasn't been on a big-league mound since April 14 of 2022 but has returned with a strong 2.45 ERA with 14 strikeouts and nine walks across 15 1/3 innings in spring training. He has been hitting 97 mph on his four-seam fastball and stated he has never been more confident to use that pitch as a weapon.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize said on Thursday that he's getting around 18 inches of induced vertical break compared to around 15 inches in the past on his fastball. "We just think the fastball up can be more of a weapon," Mize said. The fastball should pair well with his splitter, but Mize also talked about pairing it with his curveball. It could make all of the 26-year-old pitcher's offerings more effective, especially his fastball up in the zone. Fantasy managers should have tempered expectations for Mize in 2024, though, as he hasn't pitched in a big-league game since April of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. The former first overall pick in 2018 still has plenty of upside if he can stay healthy, but we don't expect him to throw more than 140-150 innings this year.

While Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (back) was recovering from Tommy John surgery last spring, he also revealed that he had an unspecified back procedure to correct an injury he had been dealing with for "years." The former first overall pick in 2018 didn't pitch at all for Detroit in 2023 and hasn't pitched in a major-league game since April 14, 2022. The 26-year-old has dealt with several arm injuries already but is now a full-go this spring and should open the 2024 season in the starting rotation. In 188 2/3 total innings in the majors to this point, Mize has posted a 4.29 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 148 strikeouts. Fantasy managers should expect rust from Mize given his long layoff, and an inevitable innings limit this year will keep his fantasy ceiling rather low.

The Detroit Tigers and right-hander Casey Mize avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $840,000 deal plus a $3.1 million club option for the 2025 season, according to a source. 2023 was a lost season for Mize as he was rehabbing all year from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The 26-year-old is fully healthy heading into spring training this year, though, and figures to open the season as a locked-in member of the starting rotation. The former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn has a 4.29 ERA (4.95 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 56 walks and 148 strikeouts in 39 starts over three major-league seasons so far. Mize could still develop into a strong big-league starter, but his fantasy ceiling will be limited by a likely innings limit in 2024.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (back, elbow), the first overall pick in 2018, has recovered from elbow and back surgery. "I'm ready to go," Mize said. He hasn't pitched for the Tigers since April 14 of 2022. The 26-year-old had his two surgeries in the summer of 2022, with Tommy John surgery knocking him out for all of last season. Mize will have spring training to prove he's truly past his injuries and he'll have a starting rotation spot in 2024 if he is healthy, but a likely innings limit given his long layoff will cap his fantasy upside next year. Mize made his big-league debut in the shortened season in 2020 and has only made 39 starts in three years for the Tigers, posting a 4.29 ERA (4.95 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 56 walks and 148 strikeouts in 188 2/3 innings pitched.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (elbow) completed a bullpen session on Tuesday and will throw another one on Friday in his rehab process, according to the team's medical update. If all goes well, Mize will begin his normal offseason strength and conditioning workouts this offseason. The 26-year-old starting pitcher missed all of the 2023 campaign due while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but barring setbacks this offseason, he could work his way into the team's Opening Day starting rotation in 2024. The former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn has a 4.29 ERA (4.95 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP while walking 56 and striking out 148 batters in 188 2/3 innings over 39 starts in his three big-league seasons to this point. Mize could be a nice under-the-radar value selection late in fantasy drafts next spring.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (elbow, shoulder) experienced some shoulder fatigue while throwing a live batting practice session on Wednesday. The right-hander continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery from last year. The organization is hopeful that Mize can resume his throwing program next week. At the moment, it's uncertain if the 26-year-old will make it back to the MLB before the end of the 2023 season. If not, Mize should be a big piece of the rotation heading into 2024.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (elbow) faced live hitters on Saturday at Comerica Park for the first time since his elbow injury, throwing 20 pitches and reporting no issues. "He was really exceptional," manager A.J. Hinch said of Mize's outing, which included fastballs in the mid-90s and sharp-breaking curveballs. "I've thrown like a million bullpens, so it's good to actually have guys in the box and be on the game mound. My body feels great, and I'm happy with knocking down another step of this really long process. But we're not at the finish line yet. I'm not trying to overdo it, but I'm not cautious," Mize said. Detroit doesn't have a target date for Mize's return, but they're optimistic about his progression.