Detroit Tigers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Detroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling (foot) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight game on Tuesday for the series opener against the division-rival Minnesota Twins. Vierling was scratched from Sunday's lineup with left-foot soreness, but X-rays came back clean, so he's considered day-to-day for now. Check back on Wednesday to see if he's available to play in the second game of this series in Minnesota. The 27-year-old was hit by a pitch in his foot on Saturday. With Vierling missing another game, Akil Baddoo will draw into left field on Tuesday and will bat seventh versus Twins rookie right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should look to avoid Baddoo, who has gone 5-for-45 (.111) this year with two homers and four RBI in a reserve role for Detroit.

Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Keider Montero was scheduled to start for Triple-A Toledo on Monday night before he was a late scratch. The Mud Hens went with a bullpen game instead. Meanwhile, right-hander Casey Mize (hamstring) will be placed on the 15-day injured list a left-hamstring strain, according to manager A.J. Hinch, so Montero figures to be the one to replace him in the Tigers' starting rotation through the All-Star break in mid-July. Montero, the club's No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, struggled in his first 8 2/3 innings earlier this year in the majors, allowing nine earned runs on 10 hits while walking four and striking out 11 in two appearances (one start). The 23-year-old's second big-league start figures to come this weekend on the road in Cincinnati against the Reds. Montero features high spin rates on his breaking pitches but will need to control them and limit the homers to find success at the next level.UPDATE: Montero is scheduled to start on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins.

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.

Veteran shortstop Javier Baez (back) hopes to begin a rehab assignment this coming week for the Detroit Tigers. Baez is hitting .183 with one home run, 25 RBI, and 15 runs. He is expected to report to Triple-A Toledo on Monday. Manager A.J Hinch reported that if all goes well this week, the team expects Baez back on the major league roster for the week before the All-Star break. Baez has been a disappointment for the Tigers who hope to recoup some of their investment if Baez can play better in the second half of the season.