Jack Flaherty (leg) likely to start Sunday vs. Astros

Flaherty pitched at Triple-A Toledo last Sunday and then threw a multi-inning simulated game at Comerica Park over the weekend. He’ll get one final tune-up in the minors before being cleared to rejoin the Tigers’ rotation for one or two starts at the end of September.

Flaherty is aiming to return to Detroit’s pitching equation next week as a piggyback starter. The 30-year-old, who has been out with flexor inflammation since late July, tossed 1 1/3 scoreless frames in a minor league rehab outing for Triple-A Toledo last Sunday.

The exact severity of the injury is a bit murky at the moment, which makes it challenging to forecast how much time Flaherty will miss. The 30-year-old heads back to the shelf for the second time this season after allowing three runs or fewer in four consecutive starts dating back to June 28. He was slated to take the ball against the Royals this weekend. No word on how Detroit will fill his rotation spot. There should be some clarity on his status at some point later this week.

Flaherty gave up four hits, walked two and struck out four. All three runs Flaherty allowed came in the third inning when he allowed a two-run home run to Seiya Suzuki and a solo home run to Michael Busch. The 30-year-old right-hander had previously allowed two runs in 16 2/3 innings over his last three starts. Flaherty has a 4.59 ERA. He’s lined up to face the Royals at home this weekend.

Flaherty racked up six strikeouts on the evening while issuing three free passes. He served up a solo homer to Derek Hill in the third inning and allowed a two-out RBI single to Hill in the fourth, and that was the extent of the damage done against him. He generated 16 whiffs on 86 offerings on the night, posting a quality CSW of 33 percent. The 30-year-old hurler concludes a tumultuous first half with a 3-8 record, 4.48 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and a 98/40 K/BB ratio over 82 1/3 innings in his 18 starts. He should feel good heading into the second half though, having allowed just two runs in total over his last three starts.

Flaherty got five strikeouts today, including four with a fastball that averaged 93.6 mph. This makes six straight outings in which he’s averaged 93 mph with his fastball, after he did that just three times in his first 11 starts. Not coincidentally, he has a 2.45 ERA in his last six starts, compared to 5.94 previously. With the win, Flaherty improved to 2-8 this season and 10-23 since joining the Tigers. He’ll likely face the Phillies on Friday.

This was always the logical move with Jack Flaherty back in the mix. It’ll be Framber Valdez taking the ball on Thursday against the Rangers on regular rest. Montero probably deserves a spot in Detroit’s rotation based on his recent performance but it doesn’t sound like they have any plans to move to a six-man mix for now.

Flaherty allowed just two hits in the ballgame while issuing three walks. The Astros got a runner to third base with no outs in the third inning, and Flaherty battled back with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to strand him there. They then loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth and the right-hander fanned Jake Meyers to keep the Astros off the board. He got 16 swings and misses on 94 pitches on the day, registering a CSW of 26 percent. Flaherty exited with a 3-0 lead and in line for his second victory of the season, but the Tigers’ bullpen couldn’t oblige. He’ll try to replicate this brilliant effort as he brings a 4.97 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and an 87/37 K/BB ratio over 70 2/3 innings into Saturday’s showdown against the Rangers in Arlington.

Flaherty will make his triumphant return to the Tigers’ rotation for Sunday’s series finale against the Astros. The 30-year-old right-hander missed a pair of turns through the Tigers’ rotation due to a peroneal strain on his lower left leg. He sits at just 1-8 on the season with an uninspiring 5.35 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and a 78/34 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings through his first 15 starts.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that Flaherty is ready to take the ball this weekend after throwing 83 pitches during his final minor league rehab outing for Double-A Erie earlier this week. The 30-year-old wound up missing only two turns through Detroit’s rotation with a leg tendon injury. The big question is whether they’ll stick with a six-man rotation or move Keider Montero back to the bullpen.