Mize (2-3, 2.27) gets the ball for his first start since May 27 after a left adductor issue shelved him, and he draws Gavin Williams (9-3, 3.32) on the other side. Mize's last outing was a 4-inning, 0-ER, 6-K tune-up against the Angels on 58 pitches, so don't expect him to chew through a lineup — Detroit will be on a leash with this one.
The Tigers desperately need length from somebody. Detroit has dropped both games in this series by a single run, getting a grand total of 3 runs across 18 innings against Cleveland pitching. At 29-42 they've already coughed up whatever was left of the AL Central race they led last summer, and a Sunday loss means a sweep at Progressive heading into a long road trip.
Cleveland's been ugly too — a 2-5 stretch with the Yankees series sandwich, although the bats woke up just enough to take the first two from Detroit. The bigger issue is what happens next. Jose Ramirez fractured the hamate bone in his left hand on a checked-swing foul Saturday and is expected to miss roughly 6-8 weeks, likely pushing his return past the All-Star break. That's the heart of the order gone.
It gets worse. Chase DeLauter exited Saturday with a right rib cage contusion and Angel Martinez is day-to-day with a bruised left foot after a fouled-off pitch. Stephen Vogt is going to be running out a stitched-together outfield and infield against a Tigers club that hasn't been able to scratch a third run together in two days. Welcome to June baseball.
- Day-To-DayDugan Darnell RP — The Tigers announced Sunday that Darnell (hip) has been playing catch five times a week and is also taking part in a running progression, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
- Day-To-DayJosue Briceno C — Briceno said Friday that he expects to be sidelined a few months after having surgery Wednesday to repair a tendon in his right wrist, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
- 15-Day-ILJack Flaherty SP — The Tigers placed Flaherty on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a left peroneal strain.
- 15-Day-ILCasey Mize SP — Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Friday that Mize (adductor) will rejoin the rotation with a start Sunday in Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILBurch Smith RP — Smith (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILJavier Baez SS — The Tigers transferred Baez (ankle) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
- 60-Day-ILJustin Verlander SP — Verlander (hip) struck out three and allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks across 5.2 innings in a rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo.
- 60-Day-ILTrey Sweeney SS — Sweeney will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery this week, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
- Day-To-DayAngel Martinez LF — Martinez is dealing with a bruised left foot, and X-rays came back negative, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
- Day-To-DayChase DeLauter RF — DeLauter exited Saturday's game against Detroit due to a right rib cage contusion, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
- Day-To-DayCarlos Hernandez RP — Hernandez (shoulder) began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
- 15-Day-ILErik Sabrowski RP — Manager Stephen Vogt said Sabrowski (elbow) threw a bullpen session Monday that went well, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILGabriel Arias SS — no
- OutJose Ramirez 3B — Cleveland announced Saturday that Ramirez has a left hamate bone fracture, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Williams has been Cleveland's most reliable starter all year, but his last time out he gave up 3 ER in 5 innings to the Yankees and walked 3. Mize, when healthy, has historically owned this lineup — career 2.93 ERA against Cleveland coming in. With Ramirez out of the box and Mize on a tight pitch count, this one likely turns on which bullpen blinks first, and Cleveland's has been the more trustworthy unit.