TODAY: Melton told the Detroit News’ Chris McCosky and other reporters that he is “not too concerned about anything long-term” with his elbow issue. “We’ll know more for sure in a couple of days or a week. But I’m pretty positive for the time being,” Melton said.
FEBRUARY 27: Tigers right-hander Troy Melton has halted his throwing program due to elbow inflammation, the team announced. Manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (including Evan Woodbery of MLive) that the second-year pitcher is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day.
Melton pitched well as a rookie. Promoted shortly after the All-Star Break, he logged 45 2/3 innings. He started four of his 16 appearances and pitched to a 2.76 earned run average. Melton fanned 20% of batters faced against a league average 8.3% walk rate. He performed well enough to earn a spot on Detroit’s playoff roster, though he surrendered five runs across 8 1/3 frames.
Although Melton worked mostly out of the bullpen in his first season, he projects as a long-term starter. Melton posted a sub-3.00 ERA across 18 appearances (16 starts) in Triple-A before his promotion. He may have been in the mix for a rotation spot this spring if not for the late free agent signings of Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander.
Valdez and Verlander slot behind Tarik Skubal in Hinch’s starting five. Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty will round out the group if everyone gets through camp healthy. KBO signee Drew Anderson can work in long relief or as a spot starter; he’d presumably draw into the rotation if anyone from the starting five is injured. That would have left the Tigers to decide whether to carry Melton as multi-inning leverage reliever or have him stay stretched out in the Triple-A rotation.
There’s no indication he’s facing a long-term absence. The team will be cautious with any elbow concern for one of their more talented young pitchers, of course, but it doesn’t seem out of the question he could be back after a fairly minimal injured list stay to begin the year.
Uh oh. Elbow inflammation is not good for a pitcher, in fact, it is very bad.
Yeah it’s very bad indeed. You must be a doctor to know that. Doctor, you probably also know that getting an elbow injury early in a career seldom ruins it. Melton should get TJ soon so he can bounce back strong next year.
I don’t think you need to be a doctor to know that elbow inflammation is good for a pitcher. I think it’s how he worded it that sounds like a doctor. But who knows? Maybe he’s a manipulator?
I’m not a doctor but you can call me doctor. I take you calling me a manipulator as a compliment, if it’s an insult let me know.
Elbow anything is scary. Best of luck to the kid.
Pitchers weren’t meant to throw overhand. Softball had it right.
“Delayed by elbow inflammation”. So that’s why we’re still waiting on our lobster cacciatore. He could at least refill our bread sticks. Wonder if olive garden validates parking
We know it’s coming. Just a matter of when.
Shoulder and back seem the two most difficult to come back from
Hope it is nothing significant. This guy looks like a major part of their future.
Ya SDSU ya!
Troy Melton is really good. On a top club he should become a postseason stalwart. Big time attacker.
But, and not just because of this news, he doesn’t appear built for distance nor is he a closer type with his arsenal, as good as it is.
To me he would shine on a 6-man staff, but as an Opener-Closer type. Pair him up with another 3-4 inning arm (Tyler Holton comes to mind) to create a regular duo making full-game starts, or innings 1-8.
Might even cut down on tendon transplants.
1. Opener goes 4 innings.
2. Closer goes the last 4 or 5
Both prepare for a regular (but shortened) start. Maybe both go a planned 4 innings, then rock the 9th with the real closer.
The relief staff is ready when someone in these starts doesn’t have it.
Add 2-3 traditional-distance starters and there’s a 6-man starting staff. Middle relievers will become stars under this plan, and their lagging salaries and WAR numbers will skyrocket.
Or a club only has 2.5 decent arms and thus there can be no winning plan.
What position do you play on the club?
How about we let the kid be a traditional starter before we start deciding his fate. He came up through the minors as a starter. He looks like he could be a front of the rotation guy. No need to turn him into the next opener before he is even given an opportunity.
Shoulder, easily. See Mark Prior among many others.
We hope no surgery, and ready for the second half. No need to push it or to rush. GO TIGERS !
Sorry to read that.
Elbow inflamation could be anything from minor Spring Training tuneup issues to something more serious.
Hate to see any players get injured and hope he can play the season without any major injury issues.
I know its early but I feel like McGonigle might end up playing SS and Baez playing CF on opening day. Meadows has not been good so far. Him, Perez and Jones better watch out for Julks.
Corey Julks? Blah.
Jahmai Jones figured it out last year so you never know!
Was thinking the same thing MCBB.
Tigers should be ready to make tough decisions this year, including leaving Parker in Lakeland if he continues to stink it up. I’ve felt he and Colt were the two key Tigers to watch this year. Tigs should be prepared to start both in Toledo if they keep struggling and two others surpass them. Jones shouldn’t be a lock based on last year’s results, either.
Along those lines, McKinstry shouldn’t get too comfortable either, although he does appear to be AJ’s boy. If he could be traded for a decent arm from a team needing a SS, Trei Cruz could easily take his place.
To me, so far, McGonigle is earning a berth on the 26-man roster.
Tigs looked pretty good today. Enmanuel DeJesus was very impressive – 3 IP, 2H, 0 BB, 0 R/ER, 7 K’s.
Beau Brieske removed after 3 pitches today.
Other notes:
Framber Valdez looked good in 1st outing: 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Brent Callahan hit two rockets: the first, a no-doubt pulled HR (2nd of spring) to RF, went way over fence, appearing to hit the building beyond RF on the bounce. 2nd AB was a rocket one-hop to 2B FC.
Joey Wentz shut down the Tigers: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R/ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Max Anderson had rough game: 0-for-2 w/2 Ks and 2 E’s in the field (throwing and fielding)
Tomas Nido: Had solo HR in 9th over LF fence
Lions closed Super Bowl in my lifetime window by trading David Montgomery