The Detroit Tigers are widely expected to trade one, if not two, starting pitchers before the July 30 MLB trade deadline. Former first-round pick Matt Manning likely would have filled one of the spots during the final two months of the season. However, the Tigers Triple-A affiliate announced on Friday that Manning will head to the minor league injured list with a right lat strain.
Matt Manning has been placed on the injured list with a right lat strain.
— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) July 19, 2024
Manning has made just five starts in the majors this season. In those outings, he pitched a total of 27 2/3 innings with a 4.88 ERA (86 ERA+), 23 strikeouts, and 12 walks.
Detroit Tigers Place Matt Manning On Minor League Injured List
The Tigers have received good depth and production from their starting pitchers this season. Therefore, the team did not have to give Manning, or any other struggling arm, a roster spot this season.
That has led to Manning spending most of his season in Triple-A. Unfortunately, his performance in the minors has left a lot to be desired. In 12 games (11 starts), the righty has posted a 4.53 ERA with 60 strikeouts and 22 walks in 59 2/3 innings.
The injured list placement comes after Manning tossed his best game of the year on Sunday. The 26-year-old threw six shutout innings with four punchouts and two walks.
Matt Manning with another QUALITY start 😤
6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR pic.twitter.com/lpZ8vEL6WG
— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) July 14, 2024
However, Manning reported the injury to the Tigers during the MLB All-Star break, just days after his outing.
Triple-A Development For Manning
Detroit demoted Manning after a solid spring performance and tasked him with improving his delivery and further developing a new splitter. Ideally, these developments would help Manning stay healthy, generate more strikeouts, and fare better against lefty batters.
Thoughts on Matt Manning going into 2024?
Two freaky foot injuries, but in the 78 innings he did pitch for the Tigers:
3.58 ERA
4.81 FIP
1.038 WHIP
15.8 K%
6.6 BB%
.216 BABIPNo strikeouts, but also no walks. A lot of hard contact, but they’re turning into outs. xERA of 5.48.… pic.twitter.com/j2Xean09QO
— Motor City Metrics (@mcmbaseballpod) February 14, 2024
Unfortunately, this lat issue continues a trend of poor health for the former ninth overall pick. Matt Manning has spent time on the injured list in each of the past three seasons and has yet to pitch 100 innings in a major league campaign. Whether it’s a broken foot, a back issue, or various arm injuries, Manning has struggled to remain on the field.
That said, the Tigers likely still have high hopes for the talented righty. From 2022-2023, he posted a 3.51 ERA (119 ERA+) in 141 innings. Despite his struggles this season, the talented righty still clearly possesses upside. The Tigers will hope that 2024 represents an important learning season in Manning’s development.
Photo Credit: © Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
