Jack Flaherty is getting a step closer to rejoining the Tigers, with a rehab assignment set to begin Sunday, Sept. 6, in Triple-A Toledo.
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch said Saturday before the Tigers faced the Cleveland Guardians that the outing is expected to be brief.
"Short stint," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said on Saturday before the Tigers played the Cleveland Guardians.
"Basically, like another live BP, but we're going to have it in competition. So he may only go one inning.
He may get two ups. We're not sure."
Flaherty has been working back from right flexor tendon inflammation and has spent recent weeks throwing live bullpens while traveling with the Tigers. Hinch said his fastball has been sitting around 93 mph.
“The reality is setting in that it's going to be really hard to build him all the way back up into that five, six, or seven-inning pitcher," Hinch said Wednesday in Minneapolis. "But that doesn't mean that we won't be more creative with him if the recovery continues.”
Flaherty last pitched for Detroit on July 20 against the Chicago Cubs and went on the injured list the next day. In 19 starts this season, he is 3-8 with a 4.59 ERA across 86⅓ innings. He is set to become a free agent after the season.
Detroit's rotation situation has thinned out considerably. The only healthy pitcher from the Tigers' opening rotation currently on the active roster is Framber Valdez. Justin Verlander has not pitched since March 30 because of injuries, while Tarik Skubal and Cazey Mize were traded before the Aug. 3 deadline.
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