Casey Mize (ankle) to start Friday vs. Rays

That’s now three rough starts in a row for Mize. The right-hander struck out four and walked one in this game, but he had just a 10 percent called strike rate, and the Reds got him for two home runs. His overall velocity was fine, but he lost two inches of vertical movement on his four-seamer and missed way up and out of the strike zone too often. On paper, his next three starts against the Nationals, Rockies, and Marlins are enticing, but it’s hard to be overly excited.

Mize was charged with only two earned runs in this one, but the Rays put seven runs on the board while Mize was on the mound. After getting through the first two innings unscathed, Mize saw a sinker to Yandy Díaz land 382 feet over the right-field stands for a solo homer, putting the Padres down 1-0. The Rays would add to their lead in the fourth inning, as Mize struggled to retire anybody and saw five runs come across to score, although he was only charged with one earned run. Mize would allow one more earned run in the fifth inning before being pulled after 77 pitches, and will see his August come to an end with a 7.00 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. He’ll look to get back on track in the final month of the season, with his next start coming on Wednesday in Cincinnati against the Reds.

Mize was able to play catch on back-to-back days after suffering a right ankle sprain during Saturday’s start against the Twins. The 29-year-old has been snake-bitten by injuries this season and that bad luck has apparently followed him to San Diego. The positive news is that he appears on track to take the ball against the Rays later this week, depending on how he’s feeling coming out of Wednesday’s bullpen session. There should be a definitive update on his status in the coming days.

Mize, who was making his fourth start with the Padres after coming over from the Tigers at the deadline, was hurt slipping down the dugout steps after the second inning. He ended up being charged with four runs in 2 2/3 innings against the Twins.

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.