Troy

Melton

Melton’s velocity was down a tad today — he averaged 95.3 mph with his fastball, compared to 96.1 mph in his first two starts — but he was able to strike out five and totaling just three in 12 2/3 innings previously. He now has a 1.74 ERA after three starts, and while that doesn’t seem totally deserved, given his strikeout and exit velocity numbers, he’d seem to be worth rostering in most formats. He’ll make his next start at home versus the Twins.

Melton walked one and struck out one on the night. He needed just 89 pitches (57 strikes) to cruise through seven innings in this one, with the lone tally against him coming on an RBI double by Miguel Vargas in the third. Melton got six whiffs on the night — three on his slider — while posting a CSW of 19 percent. He exited with a 2-1 lead and in line for a victory, but the Tigers’ bullpen couldn’t hang on for him. He now sports a brilliant 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP over 12 2/3 innings through his first two starts on the season. He’ll do battle against the Rays his next time out in Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Melton struck out three and walked three in his return to a big-league mound. The 25-year-old topped out at 98.7 mph and picked up seven whiffs against Baltimore. He had a 2.76 ERA in 45 2/3 innings between the rotation and bullpen last season. He’s a recommended add in most fantasy leagues, but he’ll face another tough test in his next start on the road against the White Sox.

Melton, returning from an elbow strain, will start Game 2 of today’s doubleheader against the Orioles.

Melton has missed the entire season thus far while recovering from an elbow strain that he suffered during the spring. He has looked electric on his minor league rehab assignment though and makes for an intriguing option for fantasy purposes as soon as he takes the big league mound. Keider Montero, who had been scheduled to start on Sunday, would be pushed back to Monday in that scenario.

It sounds like the Tigers want to be absolutely certain that Melton is ready from a physical standpoint before making a final decision. The 25-year-old righty struck out six and completed five innings in his latest rehab outing at Low-A Lakeland earlier this week. It sounds like he’s on track to make his season debut early next week, which makes him a worthwhile stash in deeper fantasy leagues.

Anderson has not made an MLB start since August of 2021, when he was with the Rangers. He did look good in four innings out of the bullpen on Friday, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out one. He was also tremendous as a starter in Korea last year, posting a 2.25 ERA in 171 2/3 innings. This could be a bit of an audition for him since the Tigers do have one rotation spot up for grabs. However, Troy Melton could also come off the injured list next week and take this spot in the rotation.

Melton threw 46 of 63 pitches for strikes while sitting in the mid-90’s, while topping out at 98 mph with his fastball, according to MLB.com’s Jason Beck. The 25-year-old righty has pretty much wrapped up his rehab process from an elbow strain and figures to rejoin Detroit’s rotation when he’s eligible to come off the injured list before the end of the month. Melton, who posted a strong 2.76 ERA across 45 2/3 innings for the Tigers as a rookie last year, is absolutely worth stashing in deeper fantasy formats.

Melton threw 33 of his 54 pitches for strikes and sat 95.9 mph on his four-seam fastball. That’s down a little over one mph from where he was last year, but that’s not unexpected when coming back from an elbow strain. Melton was sitting at 96.4 mph in the first inning and then dialed it back from there. He got plenty of whiffs on his splitter and had a 40 percent whiff rate overall. Melton can’t be activated from the injured list until the end of May, so he will make at least one more rehab start where he will likely push over 60 pitches. There’s a chance he could return after that and become an intriguing arm in fantasy leagues.

Melton has been sidelined since spring training with a right elbow strain, but has already made two rehab starts and looked good. The right-hander was put on the 60-day IL back on March 25th, so he can’t be activated until the end of this month. If he looks good in Triple-A on Wednesday, then he would likely make one more rehab start and then could return to a Tigers’ rotation that currently only has four starting pitchers with Tarik Skubal (elbow), Casey Mize (groin), and Justin Verlander (hip) all sidelined.