Tigers vs Royals

Tuesday marks the first time Brieske has thrown off a mound since he suffered a left adductor strain during spring training. He was placed on the 60-day injured list before the regular season began and isn't eligible to return until late May, but the 28-year-old appears to be progressing as expected.

"I think the last time I tried to really step on it, I don't want to say it was a full step back, but it didn't respond the way I wanted or that anybody wanted," Verlander said. "So that was disappointing. After yesterday, it didn't do that, which is good. It's taken a little longer than I think we expected, which is frustrating." Verlander has missed his last four turns through the rotation due to inflammation in his left hip, and it hasn't responded the way he'd hoped after he was initially believed to require only a minimum stint on the injured list. Verlander is expected to need at least one more bullpen session and a rehab start before making his return to Detroit's rotation.

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 was feared that Olson would not be ready for Opening Day, but it turned out to be worse than that. Near the end of the 2025 season, there was a hope that he could return for the postseason after hitting the injured list in July, but that did not come to fruition either. Prior to the Tigers announcing Olson's surgery, they had signed Framber Valdez on Feb. 4 and Justin Verlander earlier Tuesday. Troy Melton is also an option to find time in the rotation with both Olson and Jackson Jobe (elbow) out.

McKinstry landed on the 10-day injured list last week with left hip/abdominal inflammation but has started to slowly ramp things back up at the Tigers' spring training complex in Florida. He has a good chance to return Sunday when first eligible.

Falter performed well in his second rehab appearance as he works back from left elbow inflammation, retiring six of seven batters with three strikeouts. The left-hander's fastball averaged 92.6 mph, mirroring his velocity prior to being sidelined. In two relief appearances for the Royals earlier this season, Falter allowed five runs on eight hits and two walks across 3.1 innings with four strikeouts. While the next move has yet to be determined, the 28-year-old could be activated and return to the Kansas City bullpen shortly.

Working his way back from a left foot contusion, Estevez resumed throwing off a mound last week and it appears he could be ready to pitch in rehab games before the end of this week. The Royals want Estevez to be healthy but also to rediscover some lost velocity, so the reliever might stay on a rehab assignment until he gets into a groove. Lucas Erceg has gone 5-for-5 in save chances for the Royals and could keep the closer job even after Estevez returns.

India hadn't started in any of the Royals' last three games, but it's not clear if his recent absences from the lineup were performance-related, a result of the injury or a combination of both. In any event, India won't be eligible for activation until April 29, clearing the way for Michael Massey to make regular starts at second base for at least the next week. The Royals should have more information regarding the severity of India's injury along with a potential timeline for his return in the coming days.

Sunday marked Kolek's second rehab start as he works back from a Grade 1 left oblique strain suffered in spring training. The 28-year-old right-hander recorded one more out than in his previous outing and increased his pitch count to 70 (45 strikes) while maintaining a 94.3 mph fastball. Kolek appears on track in his progression and may make one more rehab start before activation. However, he could remain in Triple-A upon being reinstated from the injured list, as there is currently no clear opening in the Kansas City rotation.

Garcia was expected to return to the starting nine Saturday after sitting out Friday's contest with elbow cramps, but he will instead sit out a second consecutive game. Nick Loftin will pick up an extra start at the hot corner as a result and bat eighth.