Casey Mize DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Detroit Tigers declined right-handed pitcher Casey Mize's 2025 club option, according to Cody Stavenhagen. However, the 27-year-old remains under team control and is eligible for arbitration. Mize posted a modest 4.49 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in his first full campaign post-Tommy John surgery in 2024. This was a decline compared to his 3.71 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, which he held in the 2022 campaign, his other full season. Under the hood, the former first-overall pick generated ground balls at an elite 49.6% mark. However, he allowed hard contact at a poor 44.6% hard-hit rate and could not generate strikeouts at an underwhelming 17.3% K rate. Mize remains a low-end starter for deeper formats heading into the 2025 season.

The Detroit Tigers left right-hander Casey Mize off the roster for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and included rookie right-hander Keider Montero instead. Mize missed more time with injury in 2024 and finished the regular season in the bullpen after making 20 of his 22 appearances on the year in a starting role. The 27-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn wasn't good in his two relief outings and went 2-6 overall with a 4.49 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and just 78 strikeouts in 102 1/3 total innings. Montero wasn't all that much better in his first MLB season, going 6-6 with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:31 K:BB in 19 outings (16 starts) over 98 1/3 innings. He wasn't included on the roster for the Wild-Card Series but did throw 6 1/3 shutout innings against Cleveland back on July 8. Montero will most likely be used in a long-relief role.

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.