

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.


Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (elbow) threw three scoreless innings while allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one on Sunday in a minor-league rehab start for Low-A Augusta. Before this outing, Anderson pitched twice for the Florida Complex League Braves and struck out seven and walked none as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he had in April of 2023. The Braves are hoping to have him available to make his 2024 debut after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 26-year-old got up to 46 pitches (29 strikes) in his outing on Sunday and is expected to make at least two more rehab starts before he becomes an option for the Braves' starting rotation in the second half of the season. Anderson struggled to a 5.00 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with a 97:54 K:BB in 22 starts back in 2022, and fantasy managers would be wise to temper expectations when he returns this year.


Atlanta Braves outfielder Ramon Laureano (back) has been dealing with a sore back and will not play until at least Tuesday, when the Braves open a series against the San Francisco Giants, according to manager Brian Snitker. Laureano was out of the lineup for the series opener last Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Since joining the Braves when Michael Harris II (hamstring) landed on the injured list, Laureano has gone 9-for-35 (.257) with a home run, four doubles and four RBI in a part-time role. The 29-year-old last played on Wednesday. "He's not capable (of playing yet)," Snitker said Saturday. "We won't probably use him off the bench. We'll shoot for Tuesday, with tomorrow and the day off. There is enough still going on that I'm hoping with these extra days we can get him built up."


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.

Houston Astros starting pitching prospect Miguel Ullola currently leads all of Double-A with 101 total strikeouts across 76 innings this season. The 22-year-old has tallied at least seven strikeouts on nine occasions and at least eight punchouts five times. He tallied a season-high 12 strikeouts on May 10. He currently sits with a mediocre 4.74 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, but this is a significant improvement compared to the 5.86 ERA and 1.65 WHIP he held across 90 frames at High-A last summer. The right-hander is currently ranked as the 20th-best prospect in the Houston system on MLB.com and remains on track to meet his 2026 major league ETA.
