Tigers vs Rays

Brieske is finally ready to pitch in games after recovering from a left adductor strain he suffered during spring training. He is on the 60-day injured list and not eligible to return until late May, but Brieske should be ready to go at that time, barring a setback.

It's unclear if Smith will require a trip to the injured list, but Brenan Hanifee will be the next man up if Smith heads to the IL. Smith allowed one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Guardians and figures to be unavailable for Friday's series opener against the Orioles.

Torres' left oblique strain no longer gives him any trouble during fielding drills, but the second baseman will not be sent out on a rehab assignment until he can swing a bat at full speed without discomfort. It should be a quick turnaround once Torres clears that hurdle, but for now he's in a holding pattern. Torres has been sidelined since early May.

The Tigers haven't issued a definitive target date for Baez's return from the 10-day injured list, but he could soon be ready to head out on a rehab assignment or take part in simulated games as part of his ramp-up process. Before hitting the shelf April 29 due to a right ankle sprain, Baez had been splitting time between shortstop and center field this season and slashed .256/.280/.397 over 82 plate appearances. While Baez's offensive production wasn't anything special, the Tigers still have multiple weak spots in their lineup, so the 33-year-old may have a path to a near-everyday role once he returns.

Verlander completed a four-inning, 62-pitch simulated game Wednesday and is slated to face hitters again next week after doing some throwing this weekend. Hinch noted that the veteran hurler has taken "no steps back" but added that Verlander is not yet ready to face major-league hitters. It seems the 43-year-old could still be at least a couple weeks away from rejoining the Tigers' rotation. Verlander is working his way back from left hip inflammation.

Carpenter previously missed six weeks during the 2023 season after spraining the AC joint of his right shoulder, but he appears to be trending toward a much quicker return after suffering the same injury to his left shoulder May 9, when he slammed into the outfield wall in a game against the Royals. Once he completes a full hitting progression, Carpenter said that he expects to head out on a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the IL.

Meadows is also recovering from a concussion. He's already been moved to the 60-day injured list, and there remains no clear timetable for his return at this point. Javier Baez has seen more action in center field since Meadows went down, and Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez have also experienced an elevated role.

It's at least the third time he's thrown from the mound since he had surgery just over two weeks ago to remove a loose body from his elbow. Skubal upped the intensity of his throwing Thursday and was able to reach the velocity goal he set prior to the session. The two-time Cy Young winner continues to make rapid progress and should be cleared to face hitters soon.

Though the Tigers deactivated Madden on Sunday due to a forearm injury, he's merely dealing with a bruise rather than a muscle strain or ligament damage and should be in line for an abbreviated stint on the 15-day injured list. Assuming he makes it through Wednesday's throwing session no worse for the wear, Madden could be cleared to resume facing hitters this weekend or early next week.

Williamson hasn't played since last Friday and hasn't started a game since last Tuesday, though it's unclear whether it's the back issue that's kept him out during that stretch. Cash noted that Williamson felt improvement Monday, but the manager also didn't rule out a stint on the injured list. Consider Williamson day-to-day for now.

Sulser entered with a one-run lead and efficiently handled Toronto's lineup, needing just 12 pitches to secure his second save of the season. After a rough start in which the right-hander allowed six earned runs over his first six appearances, the veteran has completely turned things around, tossing 9.2 consecutive scoreless innings since. Sulser now owns a 2.75 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and a 15:8 K:BB across 19.2 innings.

Lux initially landed on the injured list at the beginning of the season due to a right shoulder impingement, and he's already had his rehab paused once due to an ankle injury. Now dealing with an injury in his other shoulder, the Rays will shut him down for the foreseeable future and send him in for imaging later in the week. Richie Palacios and Ben Williamson will continue to receive starts at the keystone while Lux is out.

Tampa Bay placed Fraley on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to the hernia, but it wasn't immediately clear whether the outfielder would need surgery to address the matter. Now that the Rays have confirmed Fraley will need a procedure, he appears likely to remain on the shelf through the All-Star break. Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Vilade likely represent the top candidates to see added opportunities in right field while Fraley is shelved, and utility player Richie Palacios also looms as an option to see more work in the outfield.

The right-hander landed on the injured list with hip inflammation late in spring training and was transferred to the 60-day injured list in mid-April after suffering a setback. Pepiot received an injection after the setback, but his hip felt "unstable" when playing catch a few days later, and he'll now end up missing the entirety of the 2026 campaign.

DeLuca appeared to tweak something while running from first to third on Cedric Mullins' double in the seventh inning. It's unclear what exactly he's dealing with, but the Rays could have an update on his status after the game. If the 27-year-old has to miss any time, Ryan Vilade would likely be the next man up to replace DeLuca as Tampa Bay's right fielder.

Diaz had to depart Tuesday's game after being hit on the hand by a pitch. There's no word yet on the results of X-rays taken of Diaz's hand, but it's no surprise he's not starting Wednesday's afternoon game, particularly with a team off day looming Thursday. Jonathan Aranda is in the designated hitter spot and Ryan Vilade is at first base in the series finale.