Tigers moving Keider Monteto to bullpen this week

Valdez also issued a pair of walks in the ballgame while recording only one strikeout. The Rangers got to him early in this one, as Elias Diaz crushed a solo homer as part of a three-run second inning. They then scratched out another pair of runs in the fourth. Valdez got just three swings and misses on 87 pitches on the night, posting a miserable CSW of only 17 percent. He’ll look to finish the first half on a higher note as he carries a 4.29 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 78/36 K/BB ratio (100 2/3 innings) into Thursday’s showdown against the Athletics.

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.

Valdez coughed up a two-run homer to Cam Smith in the second inning and managed to do just enough to avoid being saddled with a loss against his former organization. He struck out two and didn’t hand out a free pass. He’s turned things around recently, posting a solid 3.21 ERA and 23/9 K/BB ratio across 28 innings over five starts since June 5. He’s likely to take the ball against the Rangers on Saturday in his next outing.

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.

Montero punched out three batters on the evening while allowing only one base on balls. The only real threat against him came as the Astros put two runners in scoring position with two outs in the seventh, but Montero got Cam Smith to ground out to end the inning. The 25-year-old righty got 13 whiffs on 96 pitches on the evening, posting a strong CSW of 31 percent. He’ll look to replicate this fine effort as he carries a 3.39 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 56/18 K/BB ratio (87 2/3 innings) into a tough matchup against the Yankees in New York on Wednesday.

All signs point to Flaherty returning to Detroit’s rotation this weekend after throwing 83 pitches in a minor league rehab start for Double-A Erie on Tuesday night. The 30-year-old will wind up requiring only a minimum stay on the injured list with an uncommon strain involving the tendons on the outside of his left lower leg and ankle.

Flaherty threw 83 pitches (58 strikes) while finishing with seven strikeouts and only one walk in his first rehab outing since hitting the shelf with a leg strain back on June 13. The 30-year-old figures to rejoin Detroit’s rotation this weekend or early next week. There should be a decision on his next steps at some point in the coming days.

Valdez gave up four hits, walked two and struck out eight. He improved to 4-5 with the win as he had little trouble dispatching the Yankees’ lineup on Monday. Valdez has now allowed one run or less in four of his last six starts. He lowered his ERA to 3.91 on the season. Valdez is lined up to face the Astros at home this weekend for his next start.

Montero tossed six scoreless innings against the White Sox on May 31, so it’s been a favorable matchup for him. Justin Verlander was originally going to return on Father’s Day, but he was scratched over the weekend due to a left hamstring injury. It remains to be seen if he’ll make it back this season. Montero will continue filling in as rotation depth in his next outing against the Astros.