Both Tarik Skubal and Troy Melton are getting closer to making their respective returns from injury, but the Detroit pitching staff is also losing Brant Hurter and Burch Smith to the injured list. The mixed news feels hauntingly familiar for Tigers fans who have seen injuries to key players like Skubal, Kerry Carpenter, and Casey Mize derail what at first seemed a promising season. The team will have to rely more heavily on starting pitching now and hope their bats can also come alive.
Health Report a Mixed Bag for Tigers
Hurter entered the game on Friday in relief of the struggling Jack Flaherty. The starter gave up six runs in just 3 1/3 IP against the Baltimore Orioles; this was the fifth time in his last seven starts that he’s failed to crack four innings. The game went from bad to worse in the fifth as Hurter exited the game with back soreness immediately after facing Tyler O’Neill. Smith didn’t even make it that long, as he went to the injured list with right shoulder inflammation pre-game in Baltimore.
The bullpen has had to shoulder a large burden to this point in the season. Three Detroit starters have spent time on the IL so far in 2026, and Framber Valdez also earned a suspension, missing a start in the process. This added workload may go some way toward explaining the recent injuries, but it in no way comforts a reeling staff. However, at least two injured starters are ready, or nearing readiness.
Melton began the season on the IL after being leaned on late last season out of the bullpen. However, the Detroit Tigers took their time bringing him back in order to stretch him out to be used as a starting pitcher. That decision is soon to pay dividends as Melton is slated for his first start against the Orioles on Sunday. Skubal, meanwhile, continues to generate buzz around the league with his extremely fast recovery from his arthroscopy.
The Tigers today placed RHP Burch Smith on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. RHP Brenan Hanifee has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) May 22, 2026
If all goes to plan through the weekend, Skubal is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Tuesday when the team returns to Detroit from their latest road trip. His surgery took place on May 6, and the baseball community agreed he would be out until July or August. However, Skubal began throwing again on May 21st, well ahead of schedule. Barring any new injuries, this latest update from the starters is welcome news for the Tigers.
Jack Flaherty, Bullpen Struggling
Flaherty is now 0-6 on the year with a 5.94 ERA. He hasn’t been all bad for the Detroit pitching staff this season, but rather seems to give in to hitters for stretches in games, which gets him in big trouble. On Friday, he registered seven strikeouts and didn’t issue a single walk. However, he also gave up eight hits, four of which were for extra bases. Flaherty’s underperformance has been problematic all season, especially since the rash of injuries began.
While there have been many games where the bullpen has managed to keep the team in the game, that hasn’t always been the case. Kenley Jansen has already blown three saves in ten attempts after doing so just once in all of 2025. Players such as Emmanuel de Jesus, Drew Anderson, and even Kyle Finnegan have been inconsistent. Add in these latest headaches, and it’s becoming clear that the team will need bullpen help to salvage this season.
With Melton and Skubal on the mend, this may be less of a sore spot. Justin Verlander is also recovering, and the likes of Valdez, Mize, and Keider Montero have all been bright spots in this Detroit pitching staff. The Tigers may soon have an excess of starting pitching, or at least pitchers who can give the team length. That might allow the team to either demote Flaherty to the bullpen or try to flip him in the emerging trade market.
Main Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
