Jack Flaherty returns to rotation, Tigers chase series win against Guardians

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty will make his first start this month in the finale of a four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday afternoon.

Flaherty hasn’t pitched since June 27 due to a lower back injury. He missed one start in early June while receiving a painkiller injection and received another injection after his last outing, when he allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels, his worst start since early April.

“Whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better,” Flaherty said of the additional injection. “I haven’t come back quite the same. We happened to be so close that if it makes me feel better, I might as well get it done.”

Before his back problems, Flaherty (5-5, 3.24 ERA) pitched at every All-Star level. He allowed two or fewer runs in eight of his 15 starts. He also has a spectacular strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8.2 (115 strikeouts, 14 walks).

He signed a one-year deal with the Tigers as a free agent in the offseason and could be a valuable trade piece if he can prove his health, which will make this start even more closely watched as the majors prepare for the All-Star break.

“We’re very confident that this pitch did what it was supposed to do, and now we’re looking ahead,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said, adding that Flaherty’s recent bullpen session was “very encouraging.”

Hinch did not provide an exact number of pitches, but Flaherty last finished the sixth inning in a start on May 30.

Flaherty pitched against the Guardians on May 6 and suffered a bitter loss despite limiting them to two runs in six innings. In four career starts against Cleveland, he is 0-2 with a 3.27 ERA.

Jose Ramirez has three strikeouts in 11 career at-bats against Flaherty. However, Ramirez has also hit two home runs in his four career hits in their meetings.

Right-hander Spencer Howard (1-1, 5.63 ERA) will make his debut for the Guardians after being signed last week from San Francisco for a monetary fee.

Howard made seven appearances for the Giants this season, starting twice. He was called up by the Giants on June 30.

“I’ve talked to some of our guys who have looked at him and some guys from the Giants. They really like him,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said. “Good stuff, good composition, sounds like he’s a great guy and someone who gives us some length, so we’re really excited.”

Howard, 27, has also pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. He has a 4-12 record and a 6.93 ERA in 45 appearances (31 starts). Howard will face the Tigers for the first time.

Detroit can win the series with a victory on Thursday. The Tigers picked up their fifth win in six games on Wednesday, winning 5-4.

Tigers rookie Colt Keith extended his hitting streak to eight games with an RBI triple in the first inning. During that time, he scored ten runs and batted in eight runs.

Detroit All-Star centerfielder Riley Greene scored two more times and made a diving catch in the eighth inning, denying Angel Martinez a hit.

“He’s in the thick of things,” Hinch said of Greene. “He’s the heart and soul of this team in many ways and he’s taking on more and more responsibility.”

Martinez scored two runs with a ground-rule double in the first game after hitting his first home run.

–Field level media