After spending almost the entire season on the injured list, right-hander Julio Teheran has been officially shut down for the remainder of the 2021 campaign. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen and other reporters that the decision was made after Teheran “wasn’t himself” during some recent throwing sessions.
Teheran suffered a shoulder strain while warming up for his second start of the season, way back in early April. That shoulder issue simply never got better, as Teheran was also temporarily shut down from throwing in August when he was throwing at an unusually low velocity during a live batting practice session. Barring a reunion on another minor league deal this offseason, Teheran’s tenure in Detroit will be limited to just a single start — a quality outing that saw Teheran allow one run over five innings in a 5-2 victory over the Indians back on April 3.
Ironically, Teheran has been best known for his durability over his 11 MLB seasons, averaging 191 innings per year with the Braves from 2013-19. After struggling through a tough 2020 season with the Angels, Teheran settled for a minor league pact with the Tigers, and he locked in a $3MM guaranteed salary by reaching the big league roster. The Tigers were hoping to add an innings-eating veteran to their young rotation, though their investment in Teheran simply didn’t pan out.
It seems as though Teheran will again have to showcase himself for scouts this winter in order to attract another minors contract, but the larger concern could be Teheran’s overall health, if he is still not able to effectively throw almost five months after his initial injury. The exact nature of Teheran’s shoulder strain isn’t known, though it wouldn’t be a surprise if some type of surgical procedure was required to fully correct the problem.
He goes back to Atlanta on a 1 year sweetheart deal
I could live with that risk
And he gets the phantom IL stint anytime his turn in the rotation comes up against Philly (or more accurately Bryce Harper)
What the hell is a sweetheart deal?
I used it wrong here so I’ll elaborate on what I meant: some team friendly contract rebuild himself in a place hes familiar and comfortable in
Anthopolous booted him out unceremoniously two years ago and he’s had two poor years. Why would he want him back?
Man, I remember when this guy was a can’t miss prospect. He was compared to Pedro Martinez. Clearly he’s been a disappointment. Yet he’s made 2 all star games and is still only 30. I hope he finds it in his early 30’s and goes on a run for a few years. Always really liked Teheran for some reason.
I wouldn’t say disappoint… I mean, Pedro is a high standard that anyone would be a disappointment next to him if you look at it that way. Teheran is what he is… a good #3 or #4 pitcher who occasionally shows stardom. I wouldn’t call it a disappointment but I wouldn’t compare him to Pedro either.
The first problem with that is being compared to Pedro. There will never be another guy that size that throws like that. Pedro was a freak of nature. Top five pitcher all time as far as I’m concerned. Go ahead and argue it but he was unbelievably nasty and had one of the most amazing single seasons by a pitcher ever and he played in the heart of the steroid error.
Nothing to argue about Pedro def was top 5 all time. I’m just saying what the analysts said. And you’re crazy if you think he hasn’t been disappointing. He’s barely in the majors at 30 years old
I dont think anyone would argue Pedro isnt a top 5. He’s arguably the GOAT, just with a short peak like Koufax. Hard to argue ANY pitcher was “better” that Pedro even if some had arguably better careers.
I wish the Angels would have gotten similar production from him last year, had they, they might have made the playoffs.
His ten+ ERA cost the Angels more than just a couple of games.
Those who say he is a good #3 or #4 surely didn’t watch him last year.
I nearly got no hit once by this guy in MLB 9 innings
Riveting.
One day Touki, Newcomb, and Minter will join the garbage list of pitchers the Braves keep thinking are good but are in reality trash. Teheran and Faulty are waiting for more to join em!
Julio was far from garbage with the Braves. Was he great? No. Was he inconsistent? Sure.
He gave them 222 starts at an average of 6 innings per start and maintained a average ERA of 3.62.
Any team would take that.
You either produce in the postseason or you don’t. He didn’t.
Neither does Bellinger or guys like Jansen
so Bellinger didn’t hit the winning HR last season?
‘You either produce in the postseason or you don’t. He didn’t.’
He threw a grand total of 6 postseason innings for the Braves. You’re going to discount his nine years with the Braves based on six innings? Crazy.
Since when is the postseason the barometer? By that logic, Bryse Wilson is better than Teheran.
Ian, in a larger body, Bellinger has been horse**** in the playoffs
He was consistent with the Angels, consistently bad.
I remember when the Angels traded Newcomb, the fans were upset based on his prospect rating. That’s one trade we got right.
He’s been shut down since early April so this doesn’t come as a shock.
Typical veteran starter signing by Avila – spent the year on the IL. Only signing that didn’t spend the entire year injured has been Urena, but considering the results, you could argue he should have.
He is done, will need Tommy John. Hasn’t been the same the last 4 yrs.
Shoulder issues = Tommy John?
Every year, this happens to at least one of AA signings.
Typical Tigers free agent pitching signee….I wonder what pitcher they’ll sign, and get hurt next season?
Verlander
At least it wasn’t long term. To my recollection, I believe Mike Fiers was the best free agent signing only to be traded mid-season.
Teheran is a throwback in a sense. He has never pitched fewer than 174 innings in a season in which he made 30 or more starts. In todays “max effort” game that is a rarity. Currently there are only 29 Pitchers in all of MLB that have thrown at least 150 innings this season and there are maybe three that will make it to 200 innings.