Troy

Melton

Melton was placed on the 60-day IL on March 10th with an elbow strain, but the Tigers never seemed overly concerned about the severity of the injury. With a full rotation, there was no need to rush the 25-year-old, so the Tigers will now slowly ramp him back up with the hope that he can contribute over the summer if they need innings.

There is no new information on Melton’s elbow, and he didn’t experience a setback, but the team needed a 40-man roster spot, so they moved him to the 60-day IL. The Tigers were always going to be cautious with the 25-year-old after he battled a sore elbow in spring training. Now, the earliest he can return to the team is at the end of May, so he could remain an option for the rotation over the summer if a spot opens up.

Melton visited a doctor recently who recommended additional rest time, presumably to let any inflammation subside. With Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander in town, the Tigers don’t need to rush Melton back early in the season but he will likely be an important piece of the team if anybody gets hurt.

The 25-year-old has not gotten a start yet in spring training, and Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said they were going to play it “pretty conservative,” with Melton. After signing Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, Melton doesn’t have a spot in the rotation anyway, so it makes sense to play it slow with Melton, who looked good in his first MLB season in 2025. If Melton is healthy, he figures to make an impact in Detroit’s rotation at some point during the season.

The Tigers were holding back just a little when they indicated that Olson might not be ready for Opening Day. This is really unfortunate, but it does explain why the Tigers felt they needed Justin Verlander on top of signing Framber Valdez. Olson was limited to 13 starts by shoulder issues last season. The 26-year-old has a 3.60 ERA in 53 starts and three relief appearances since debuting in 2023. His absence means it’s safe to pencil in a Tigers rotation of Tarik Skubal, Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Verlander. Drew Anderson, Troy Melton and Keider Montero are next in line.

Olson strained his shoulder in July and had resumed throwing in December, but it now appears that he may not be ready to start the season. If Olson were to be delayed to start the season, that would mean that Drew Anderson and Troy Melton would battle for the fifth starter spot in Detroit.

What interesting timing, given that the Tigers are supposed to learn Thursday whether they’re paying Tarik Skubal $32 million or $19 million next season. Perhaps they got some early good news on that front. Valdez is receiving $38.33 million per year here on the short-term deal. He gets a $20 million signing bonus and an opt out after 2027, according to the New York Post’s Jon Heyman. He’s set to join a rotation that would seem to be locked in with Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Reese Olson, though the Tigers could look at moving Flaherty or Mize for a bat. As things stand now, neither Troy Melton nor Drew Anderson would be in line for a spot.

The 24-year-old rookie right-hander struck out four batters on the night while allowing just one base on balls. The only blemish on his evening came on a solo blast off the bat of Julio Rodríguez in the fourth inning. Melton got eight whiffs on 57 pitches in the ballgame, registering a CSW of 30 percent. He should be available out of the Tigers’ bullpen for Game 4 of the series on Wednesday in Detroit.

The 24-year-old right-hander was terrific for the Tigers during the regular season, registering a 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 36/15 K/BB ratio over 45 2/3 innings in 16 appearances (four starts). He was bombed for four runs on three hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning in Game 2 of their Wild Card Series matchup against the Guardians. Melton has been pitching primarily out of the bullpen and shouldn’t be expected to work more than a few innings on Saturday. Keider Montero could be an option to log bulk innings behind him or the Tigers could make it a full bullpen game before Tarik Skubal takes the ball in Game 2 on Sunday.

Melton issued a pair of walks in the contest while recording only one strikeout. The only damage done against him came on an RBI double by C.J. Kayfus in the second inning. The 24-year-old hurler got just two swings and misses on 49 pitches on the night, posting a miserable CSW of only 18 percent. For the season, he holds a terrific 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 36/15 K/BB ratio over 45 2/3 innings in 16 appearances (four starts).