The Tigers won their first series of the season last weekend in Kansas City, but lost two of their top pitchers in the process.
Five days after placing Casey Mize on the 10-day injured list with a medial sprain in his right elbow, the Tigers have placed Matt Manning on the 10-day IL with right shoulder inflammation, the club announced Wednesday.
A.J. Hinch had said Tuesday the Tigers were hopeful that Manning could start this weekend, but it appears the injury is more serious than they thought. Manning's IL stint is retroactive to April 17, so the earliest he could return is for next week's series in Minnesota.
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The good news, per Hinch on Tuesday, is that "it's not anything that's going to linger and last a long time" as Manning aims for a big step in his second big-league season. The Tigers were just inclined to err on the side of caution.
Manning, 24, was throwing the ball well in the first inning against the Royals last Saturday, but reported shoulder tightness to pithing coach Chris Fetter after his velocity dipped in the second -- "and we immediately removed him from the game without any further conversation," said Hinch.
"The initial diagnosis with him is positive, as positive as it could be," Hinch said Tuesday. "Structurally, we think he’s just fine. There is some inflammation, there is some tendinitis, some soreness."
It's an early setback for the Tigers, who are counting on Mize and Manning to play major roles in the rotation this season. To take Manning's spot on the roster, Detroit has called up reliever Angel De Jesus from Triple-A Toledo, where he posted a 4.21 ERA in 35 games last season.
"It’s a cautionary tale of how getting into the season is really difficult with the short spring," said Hinch. "Two guys we’re relying heavily on this year and the years moving forward are a little banged up."