Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty will make his first start this month in the finale of a four-game series against the visiting Cleveland Guardians on Thursday afternoon. Flaherty hasn't pitched since June 27 due to a lower back injury. He missed a start in early June while receiving a pain-killing injection.
He received another injection following his last outing, when he gave up five runs in 5 2/3 innings to the Los Angeles Angels, his worst start since early April. "Whatever you have to do to make things feel better," Flaherty said of getting another injection. "I didn't quite bounce back the same.
We happened to be close enough where I might as well get it done if it's going to help me feel better." Prior to the back issues, Flaherty (5-5, 3.24 ERA) pitched at any All-Star level.
He allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his 15 starts. He also sports a spectacular 8.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio (115 strikeouts, 14 walks).
He signed a one-year contract with the Tigers as a free agent during the offseason and could be a valuable trade chip if he can prove he is healthy. That will make this start even more closely watched as the majors head toward the All-Star break. "We have a lot of confidence that this shot did what it's supposed to do, and now we move forward," Tigers manager A.
J. Hinch said, adding Flaherty's latest bullpen session was "very encouraging." Hinch didn't give a hard pitch count, but Flaherty last completed the sixth inning in a start on May 30.
Flahert.
