Jobe Injury Puts Tigers in Another Bind

For the 1st time this season, the Tigers neared full strength but face another injury wave. Rookie starter Jackson Jobe was placed on the 15-day IL Friday with a Grade 1 flexor tendon strain in his right elbow.

Outfielder Matt Vierling was placed on the 10-day IL by the Tigers due to shoulder inflammation. Wenceel Pérez returned from the IL as a replacement. The Tigers' plan to replace Jobe remains unclear, but they may have a strong alternative while he recovers.

After earning a rotation spot in Spring Training, Jobe has a strong rookie season: 4-1, 4.22 ERA in 10 starts, with 39 strikeouts, 27 walks, and 46 hits in 49 innings.

He has been frustrated by low strikeout rates but avoided terrible starts common among rookies. He allowed over 3 runs in only two starts, including a six-run outing in 3.1 innings vs Colorado on May 7.

The Tigers have been mostly successful under Jobe because of his ability to limit damage. They won his first eight starts, which is the longest run of wins since 2001 to start a Major League career.

Jobe pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits, in a no-decision vs. Giants. He nearly earned the win after Tigers' 5th-inning comeback but fell one out short. His velocity dropped: sinker at 93.4 mph (1.8 below season avg), fastball at 95.1 mph (1.4 below avg), declining further late in the outing.

Jobe allowed three runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings Wednesday, ending with no decision vs. the Giants. One more out would have positioned him for the win after the Tigers' fifth-inning rally. His velocity dipped: 95.1 mph fastball (1.4 mph below season avg), 93.4 mph sinker (1.8 mph below), declining further late in the outing.

If Jobe and he had a similar schedule, he might return in mid-July, around the All-Star break.

The Tigers don't have a clear alternative for Jobe since Keider Montero is already in the lineup to cover for Olson, who was placed on the disabled list last week due to inflammation in his right middle finger.

Sawyer Gipson-Long, a No. 29 prospect, pitched 5 1/3 solid innings in his latest rehab start for Triple-A Toledo, allowing one solo homer and striking out five. He hasn't reached 60 pitches yet. Gipson-Long had a strong September 2023 before Tommy John and hip surgeries.

Abullpen game, like the Tigers used before Casey Mize's return, is another option.

Dylan Smith, a right-hander from Triple-A Toledo, is being called up by the Tigers for his MLB debut as a reliever. A former third-round pick in the 2021 Draft, Smith transitioned to the bullpen this season after injury struggles as a starter.

His career and velocity have flourished with fewer appearances; he has 32 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings between Double-A Erie and Toledo. He played for the Mud Hens twice, both outstanding games—2 1/3 hitless, walkless innings with five strikeouts.