Detroit stormed to another June win on Monday in Houston; however, the Tigers’ injuries that were picked up put a damper on what should have been an uplifting night. With Tarik Skubal, Kenley Jansen, and Casey Mize coming off of the IL in rapid succession, the Detroit Tigers pitching staff was looking nearly back to 100%, while the somewhat recent returns of Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres last week bolstered the Motown team’s offense. However, the newest Tigers’ injuries reared their ugly head first pregame and then again in just the second inning.
Tigers’ Injuries Threaten to Derail Winning Start to June
The Tigers’ injuries that have been sustained have really affected this team in 2026. Rotowire recently ranked them as the second-most affected team by injuries this season, trailing just the Toronto Blue Jays. While no one wants to use injuries as excuses, no team can play at their best when their best players aren’t healthy. Before the season even started, news broke that Reese Olson would miss the entire season due to right shoulder labral repair. During the earliest weeks, both Parker Meadows and Javier Baez had to go onto the 60-day IL and have yet to be seen since.
On Monday against the Astros, the Tigers’ injuries also included Jack Flaherty, who missed his most recent start with a muscle strain. Justin Verlander also remains absent, although recent reports indicate he may be close to a return for the Tigers.
However, the two newest Detroit Tigers injuries came on Monday with would-be starter Troy Melton going down with back tightness before Torres exited in the second inning with a left oblique strain. Melton’s absence may be easier to absorb with Mize already scheduled to return on Wednesday and Skubal having already come off the IL. The Torres injury will likely see the team platoon Hao-Yu Lee and Colt Keith at second with Zach McKinstry filling in from time to time.
This is far from a good time for more Tigers injuries. Detroit started the month going 8-4 through Monday night and was beginning to close the gap on the last AL Wild Card spot. They have also started to claw a few games back from division rivals like the Minnesota Twins. Two other AL Central teams have also received bad injury news recently, with both Jose Ramirez and Vinnie Pasquantino suffering hamate bone injuries, potentially limiting the Guardians’ and Royals’ ability to win games. This may leave the door open for the Tigers to gain some ground if they aren’t thwarted by injuries.
Three-Keith 🎩 pic.twitter.com/8DsjnmKtx8
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 16, 2026
What to Do at the Deadline?
This question will become more and more relevant as we approach the All-Star break. Detroit has most of their big guns in the lineup and in the rotation as of the time of writing. Missing Torres, Melton, Flaherty, and the rest on the IL is going to hurt, but this team is deep enough to absorb some injuries.
All of Skubal, Framber Valdez, Mize, and Keider Montero are currently healthy; they represent the four best starters the team has produced this season so far. On offense, Keith has started to swing a hot bat; Spencer Torkelson is beginning to get his home run swing back; and Kevin McGonigle continues to make a good case for AL Rookie of the Year.
The team certainly has candidates to trade, be they veterans on short-term contracts like Torres or Flaherty or up-and-coming prospects such as Max Anderson or Bryce Rainer. Determining which, if any, assets Detroit should be trading at the deadline will be a major focus for the front office over the next month or so. The Tigers’ injuries suggest they will have to be sellers at the deadline; however, if they continue to keep hanging on in the Wild Card race, Scott Harris might just feel like they have a real chance at a playoff spot, and in that case, the team would become unlikely buyers.
Main Image Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
