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.

Seabold has had a low-leverage role for the Tigers this season, compiling a 4.09 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 11:5 K:BB over 11 innings spanning eight appearances. He has a win on his ledger but no holds or saves. With Seabold slated to miss at least 15 days, the Tigers recalled righty reliever Brenan Hanifee from Triple-A to fill a spot in the bullpen.

"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.

Estevez has been shelved since April 1 due to a left foot contusion and has progressed slowly in recovery, though he is now making strides on the mound. In his lone outing of 2026, the right-hander blew a save, allowing six runs on four hits and two walks while recording just one out against Atlanta on March 28. Manager Matt Quatraro did not provide a specific figure but noted Estevez's fastball was in the 90-plus mph range, a detail worth monitoring after his velocity dipped during spring training and in his one regular-season appearance following a 95.9 mph average last season. Depending on how Tuesday's session goes, the 33-year-old could begin a rehab assignment in the near future. Lucas Erceg has handled closing duties in Estevez's absence, converting six of eight save opportunities with a 5.23 ERA and 1.65 WHIP.

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.

The 26-year-old will sit for a third straight game after exiting Wednesday's contest due to right elbow cramps. Garcia was expected to rejoin the lineup Friday and Saturday before ultimately sitting out, but there's been no word of him suffering a setback to this point. The Royals have a team day off Monday, so Garcia will get an extra day to recover ahead of Tuesday's series opener in Sacramento.