HUGE SETBACK: Tigers star enters Transfer portal plus injuries.
RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long gathering medical opinions on right elbow injury; no decision yet
Gipson-Long did pre-med studies in college at Mercer, so if any Tigers pitcher has a good grasp of the information coming from doctors and specialists, it’s him. He saw noted elbow surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Texas earlier in the week and visited with Braves orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tim Griffith in Atlanta before that. No decision has been made yet on the next course of action.
“I can ask knowledgeable questions, and I’m not totally in the dark or always searching for answers,” Gipson-Long said. “I at least have a good baseline knowledge of what’s going on.”
The Tigers’ No. 10 prospect said he felt something in his elbow while making a rehab start for Single-A Lakeland on April 7. He was working his way back from a left groin strain sustained in Spring Training. He’d never had an issue with his elbow, so he figured something might be amiss.
“I’m hoping for the best, but we’ll see what the doctors have to say,” Gipson-Long said. “I’m definitely not a professional in that aspect. I know my body well enough to say, ‘Hey, this doesn’t feel right.’ But past that, I think professional opinions matter, too.”
RHP Brendan White placed on development list at Triple-A Toledo
White had been working out of the bullpen at Triple-A Toledo after being optioned early in Spring Training, but he walked six of 13 batters and hit another over three appearances for the Mud Hens, allowing four runs over 1 2/3 innings despite only one hit allowed.
“We’ve got to get him in the strike zone,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s been erratic for the better part of spring into the beginning part of the season, and it was time for us to address some mechanical issues and getting him to locate his pitches competitively.”
By rule, a player on the 40-man roster must consent to a development list assignment. He must remain on the development list for at least seven days. White’s move was officially listed on April 14. He pitched in 33 games for Detroit last year, allowing 23 earned runs on 40 hits over 40 2/3 innings with 15 walks, five hit batters and 44 strikeouts.
RHP Ty Adcock claimed off waivers from Mariners and assigned to Triple-A Toledo
The Tigers have had an open spot on their 40-man roster since Opening Day. They filled it with a hard-throwing right-handed reliever who has pitched in just 46 2/3 professional innings since being drafted in 2019 due to injuries. The 27-year-old pitched in 12 games for the Mariners last year, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits over 15 2/3 innings with no walks and 11 strikeouts. Opponents hit just .148 off his fastball, which averaged 96.6 miles per hour, but hit four homers off his slider.
Adcock pitched in three games for Triple-A Tacoma this season, allowing two runs on two hits over 2 1/3 innings with three walks and two strikeouts, before the Mariners designated him for assignment last week.
IF/OF Andy Ibáñez (left hamstring strain) works out on field
The sight of Ibáñez on the field for some early work Sunday morning was a good sign in his progress. He probably won’t be ready when he’s eligible to return from the 10-day IL on Thursday, but will join the team in St. Petersburg next week.
“He’s doing great. He’s on the right track,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “We’re not sure if he’s going to travel with us or not. He’s starting to get into more baseball activities.
“He was told he couldn’t hit today. That’s like taking a blankie away from a little kid.”
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