Tigers' A.J Hinch Shares Casey Mize Decision After Tarik Skubal News

The Detroit Tigers are in desperate need of good news. Sitting at 19-25 and fourth in the American League Central heading into a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit has watched its starting rotation get picked apart by injuries all season long. One of the arms the club has needed most is Casey Mize.

The former No. 1 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Mize has battled injuries his whole career, including Tommy John surgery in 2022. The 29-year-old earned his first All-Star nod in 2025, and coming into 2026, looked ready to build on that.

Through six starts this season. He was one of the Tigers' most reliable starters, posting a 2-2 record, 2.90 earned run average and a 1.19 WHIP across 31 innings, striking out 35 batters.

Things got worse for Detroit when Tarik Skubal was placed on the injured list on May 4 and underwent left elbow surgery to remove loose bodies on May 6. The Tigers have gone 3-9 since the calendar turned to May and are currently on a three-game losing streak after being swept by the New York Mets.

Manager A.J. Hinch shared a positive update on Mize's return prior to Friday's matchup against Toronto.

Casey Mize will start vs. Jays for Tigers tomorrow per A.J. Hinch.

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) May 15, 2026

The right-hander stayed on track throughout his IL stint, throwing live batting practice without needing a rehab assignment before getting the green light to return to the club.

The Mize news is not the only encouraging update coming out of Detroit. Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Skubal has already begun a throwing program. The latest news is welcome to a team and fan base that has postseason ambitions after losing to the Seattle Mariners in the 2025 ALDS.

Related: Yankees' Cam Schlittler Makes Off-Field Announcement Before Mets Game

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 3:06 PM.