Jack Flaherty, the 30-year-old right-handed pitcher, is on the mend and preparing to return to the Detroit Tigers. His journey back to the big leagues will commence with a rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo, scheduled for Sunday, September 6.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch provided insights into Flaherty's upcoming appearance, indicating that it will be a brief outing. "Short stint," Hinch noted prior to the Tigers' matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. He elaborated that the session would resemble a live batting practice but conducted in a competitive setting. Flaherty's outing may last just one inning or include two ups, depending on how he feels during the game.
Flaherty has been sidelined due to right flexor tendon inflammation, an injury that has kept him off the mound since July 20, when he last pitched against the Chicago Cubs. Following that game, he was placed on the injured list, prompting a period of recovery and rehabilitation. In recent weeks, he has been participating in live bullpen sessions while traveling with the Tigers, showcasing a fastball velocity around 93 mph, as reported by Hinch.
Despite the encouraging signs, Hinch acknowledged the challenges ahead in fully restoring Flaherty to his previous form. "The reality is setting in that it's going to be really hard to build him all the way back up into that five, six, or seven-inning pitcher," Hinch remarked during a press conference in Minneapolis. However, he remained optimistic about finding creative ways to utilize Flaherty if his recovery progresses well.
In 2026, Flaherty has made 19 starts for the Tigers, posting a record of 3-8 with a 4.59 ERA over 86⅓ innings pitched. His return comes at a crucial time for the Tigers, who are currently facing a pitching crisis. As of now, only one pitcher from the team's opening rotation, Framber Valdez, remains healthy and active. Justin Verlander has been out since March 30 due to injuries, while Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize were both traded prior to the August 3 deadline.
Flaherty's return to the mound could provide a much-needed boost to the Tigers' rotation as they navigate the latter part of the season. With the team struggling to maintain consistency on the pitching front, having Flaherty back in the fold, even in a limited capacity, could be beneficial as they look to improve their standings.
As Flaherty gears up for his rehab start with the Toledo Mud Hens, Tigers fans will be watching closely, hoping for a successful return that could help stabilize the pitching staff and contribute to the team's efforts in the remaining games of the season.
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