Casey Mize exits start because of sprained ankle

Mize was first checked on while warming up for the third and was pulled from the game after giving up balls in play of 106, 107 and 108 mph to the three batters he faced that inning. Fortunately, two of those were outs, but Mize still gave up three runs in 2 2/3 innings. Mize averaged just 90.4 mph with his fastball in the third, putting him three mph below his season average.

Jeremiah Estrada, Adrian Morejon and Yuki Matsui completed the three-hitter. Mize settled for three strikeouts today. Oddly enough, the 22 splitters he threw produced zero whiffs or called strikes. However, they did generate outs all six times they were put into play. Mize improved to 5-7 with a 3.18 ERA overall. He’ll take on another familiar foe when the Twins travel to San Diego next weekend. Both his four wins and his five losses versus the Twins are the most he has against any team.

Mize was effective, but not in an especially encouraging way. He generated just six whiffs, though he did get 21 called strikes for a 33 percent CSW. His velocity, which was well down in his final start for the Tigers before returning to normal on 10 days’ rest last week in his otherwise miserable Padres debut (8 ER in 3 1/3 IP versus Arizona), was back down a little tonight; his fastball was 0.7 mph lower than his season average and his slider was down 1.4 mph. He doesn’t seem like quite as good of a bet now as he did earlier in the season in Detroit, but in a nice situation in San Diego, he’s probably worth sticking with in mixed leagues. He’ll pitch in Cleveland on Sunday.

Well, the good news is that Mize’s velocity decline in his final start as a Tiger didn’t carry over. Pitching on 10 days’ rest, he was right back at his season average of 93.5 mph with his fastball tonight. However, after two scoreless frames, Mize surrendered two runs in the third and six in the fourth. The eight runs and nine hits allowed were both season highs. Three walks also matched his season high; he hadn’t done that since Apr. 22. We imagine he’ll bounce back next week against the Brewers, but this was not the first impression he was looking for.

San Diego manager Craig Stammen added that Robbie Ray will make his debut against the Astros on Friday. Mize was a last-minute addition at the trade deadline after posting a strong 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 85/19 K/BB ratio across 86 2/3 innings for the Tigers. He’s been battling some lingering groin issues throughout the year, but he’s ready to roll this week after heading out west.

Mize bolsters a San Diego rotation that has been one of the worst in baseball this season with Detroit continuing their full-scale teardown. The 29-year-old former first-overall pick has put together one of his best seasons, despite battling through lingering groin issues that have impacted his availability and performance, posting a strong 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 85/19 K/BB ratio across 86 2/3 innings of work.

San Diego manages to fortify its starting rotation, which has been one of the worst in baseball this season, by landing Mize just ahead of the buzzer at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old has battled through lingering groin issues this season, managing to post a stellar 2.70 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 85/19 K/BB ratio across 86 2/3 innings of work.

With Tarik Skubal off the board, Mize now stands out as the top rental option remaining on the trade market for team’s looking to upgrade their starting rotation. The Braves and Diamondbacks have already been linked to him, with Heyman noting that the Cubs, Rays, Padres and Yankees could be suitors as well. Expect Mize to be donning a new jersey the next time that he takes the mound.

Mize is not hurt, but with the trade deadline looming, and the right-hander potential being dealt, the Tigers don’t want to risk anything. Of course, we should also note that Mize sat 91.9 mph on his four-seam fastball in his last outing and dipped under 90 mph multiple times. If he were to go out there and do that again on Friday, it would no doubt impact his potential trade market. The Tigers will instead go with Ty Madden to start a bullpen game.

Mize’s fastball velocity was down slightly at the outset of this one, but began trending in the right direction by the third inning as he began hitting the mid-90’s with increased frequency. No matter how you slice the data, Mize clearly didn’t have his best stuff as he continues to battle a lingering groin issue, but he still managed to grind out six frames and put Detroit in position to win. He finished with three strikeouts and didn’t hand out a free pass. The lone tally against him came on a sacrifice fly in the second inning He’ll face the Athletics in a challenging road matchup his next time out on Friday.