Jack Flaherty combines with two on shutout

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.

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.

Flaherty has been diagnosed with a strain involving the tendons on the outside of the left lower leg and ankle. It’s unclear how much time he’s going to miss given the nature of the injury. The 30-year-old made an early exit from Friday’s start against the Guardians. No word yet regarding how the Tigers will fill his rotation spot, but it figures to involve Justin Verlander’s return from the injured list.

Flaherty was seen talking to the trainers and the coaching staff after finishing the third inning, then he went into the tunnel and never returned. Flaherty gave up two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one batter in his three innings of work. It doesn’t sound like anything that should cause him to miss his next start, but it’ll depend on how he’s feeling over the next few days.

The right-hander punched out seven hitters on the day while issuing only one base on balls. The Mariners scratched out a run against him in the third inning, then Flaherty allowed the first three hitters to reach in the sixth, including an RBI double by Josh Naylor, before turning the ball over to the bullpen. He got 15 swings and misses on 87 pitches on the afternoon, registering a CSW of 32 percent. He’ll bring a 5.31 ERA and 1.58 WHIP into Friday’s showdown against the Guardians in Cleveland.

Flaherty gave up five hits, walked two and struck out six. The win was his first of the season as he improved to 1-7. Flaherty retired the side in order in the first inning before pitching out of jams in the second, third and fourth innings. While the 30-year-old right-hander has a 4.50 ERA in 20 innings over his last four starts, his 26/3 K/BB has been impressive. Flaherty may have turned a corner in his season after a disastrous start. He’s back on the fantasy radar in mixed leagues for his next start against the Twins next week.