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16 articles
DET • Pitcher • #52
5 days ago
Melton threw 33 of his 54 pitches for strikes and sat 95.9 mph on his four-seam fastball. That’s down a little over one mph from where he was last year, but that’s not unexpected when coming back from an elbow strain. Melton was sitting at 96.4 mph in the first inning and then dialed it back from there. He got plenty of whiffs on his splitter and had a 40 percent whiff rate overall. Melton can’t be activated from the injured list until the end of May, so he will make at least one more rehab start where he will likely push over 60 pitches. There’s a chance he could return after that and become an intriguing arm in fantasy leagues.
DET • Pitcher • #52
6 days ago
Melton has been sidelined since spring training with a right elbow strain, but has already made two rehab starts and looked good. The right-hander was put on the 60-day IL back on March 25th, so he can’t be activated until the end of this month. If he looks good in Triple-A on Wednesday, then he would likely make one more rehab start and then could return to a Tigers’ rotation that currently only has four starting pitchers with Tarik Skubal (elbow), Casey Mize (groin), and Justin Verlander (hip) all sidelined.
Source: Cody Stavenhagen
DET • Pitcher • #52
11 days ago
Melton needed just 27 pitches (22 strikes) to record nine outs on Friday, as he was in complete command throughout. His fastball averaged 95.4 mph and topped out at 96.4 while he generated nine whiffs in just 19 swings. That’s mighty impressive. He’s not eligible to join the Tigers until the end of May, but barring any setbacks he’ll be a very welcomed addition to a pitching staff that could use an influx of talent.
Source: Jason Beck
DET • Pitcher • #52
16 days ago
Melton is working his way back from a right elbow strain that he suffered during the spring. They’ll continue to ramp him up cautiously with the expectation that he could be ready to go by the end of May. Depending on the Tigers’ needs at the time, he may be better suited in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen initially rather than working out of the rotation.
Source: Cody Stavenhagen
DET • Pitcher • #52
2 months ago
Melton was placed on the 60-day IL on March 10th with an elbow strain, but the Tigers never seemed overly concerned about the severity of the injury. With a full rotation, there was no need to rush the 25-year-old, so the Tigers will now slowly ramp him back up with the hope that he can contribute over the summer if they need innings.
Source: Evan Petzold
DET • Pitcher • #52
2 months ago
There is no new information on Melton’s elbow, and he didn’t experience a setback, but the team needed a 40-man roster spot, so they moved him to the 60-day IL. The Tigers were always going to be cautious with the 25-year-old after he battled a sore elbow in spring training. Now, the earliest he can return to the team is at the end of May, so he could remain an option for the rotation over the summer if a spot opens up.
DET • Pitcher • #52
3 months ago
Melton visited a doctor recently who recommended additional rest time, presumably to let any inflammation subside. With Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander in town, the Tigers don’t need to rush Melton back early in the season but he will likely be an important piece of the team if anybody gets hurt.
Source: Chris McCosky
DET • Pitcher • #52
3 months ago
The 25-year-old has not gotten a start yet in spring training, and Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said they were going to play it “pretty conservative,” with Melton. After signing Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, Melton doesn’t have a spot in the rotation anyway, so it makes sense to play it slow with Melton, who looked good in his first MLB season in 2025. If Melton is healthy, he figures to make an impact in Detroit’s rotation at some point during the season.
Source: Chris McCosky
DET • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
The 24-year-old rookie right-hander struck out four batters on the night while allowing just one base on balls. The only blemish on his evening came on a solo blast off the bat of Julio Rodríguez in the fourth inning. Melton got eight whiffs on 57 pitches in the ballgame, registering a CSW of 30 percent. He should be available out of the Tigers’ bullpen for Game 4 of the series on Wednesday in Detroit.
DET • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
The 24-year-old right-hander was terrific for the Tigers during the regular season, registering a 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 36/15 K/BB ratio over 45 2/3 innings in 16 appearances (four starts). He was bombed for four runs on three hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning in Game 2 of their Wild Card Series matchup against the Guardians. Melton has been pitching primarily out of the bullpen and shouldn’t be expected to work more than a few innings on Saturday. Keider Montero could be an option to log bulk innings behind him or the Tigers could make it a full bullpen game before Tarik Skubal takes the ball in Game 2 on Sunday.
Source: Cody Stavenhagen
DET • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
The 24-year-old right-hander was terrific for the Tigers during the regular season, registering a 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 36/15 K/BB ratio over 45 2/3 innings in 16 appearances (four starts). He was bombed for four runs on three hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning in Game 2 of their Wild Card series against the Guardians. Melton has been pitching primarily out of the bullpen and shouldn’t be expected to work more than a few innings on Saturday. Keider Montero could be an option to log bulk innings behind him or the Tigers could make it a full bullpen game before Tarik Skubal takes the ball in Game 2 on Sunday.
Source: Cody Stavenhagen
DET • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
Melton issued a pair of walks in the contest while recording only one strikeout. The only damage done against him came on an RBI double by C.J. Kayfus in the second inning. The 24-year-old hurler got just two swings and misses on 49 pitches on the night, posting a miserable CSW of only 18 percent. For the season, he holds a terrific 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 36/15 K/BB ratio over 45 2/3 innings in 16 appearances (four starts).
DET • Pitcher • #52
8 months ago
Melton has been moved into a relief role and has not thrown more than three innings since August 13th. He has had a tremendous rookie season and has fantasy appeal for 2026, but he likely won’t throw deep enough into the game today to have fantasy value.
Source: Evan Petzold
DET • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
Melton threw 43 of his 56 pitches for strikes and could have gone deeper in the game if he hadn’t been used as a bulk reliever in his most recent outings. The 24-year-old posted a 23 percent whiff rate but a 34 percent CSW as he pounded the zone with both his four-seamer and sinker. Melton doesn’t yet have a spot in the Tigers’ rotation, but it might make sense for them to find a way to make that happen.
DET • Pitcher • #52
9 months ago
Melton last threw 3 1/3 innings of long relief on Friday against the Angels, allowing one run on two hits. It’s unclear if this is just a spot start or if the Tigers will be moving to a six-man rotation, but Melton will at least take the ball on Wednesday in a strong streaming situation.
Source: Evan Petzold
DET • Pitcher • #52
10 months ago
Melton gave up 12 hard-hit balls tonight, but most were still pretty routine, and all five hits he allowed were singles. He also didn’t walk anyone. It definitely adds to his case to stay in the rotation, but there’s a good chance the Tigers will add another starter after losing Reese Olson and gaining Chris Paddack today. If Melton does stick, he’ll likely face the Phillies on Sunday.