Advertisement

Detroit Tigers' Beau Brieske (dead arm) was to be monitored closely even before IL stint

If the term "general fatigue" was a possible designation on the injured list, the Detroit Tigers would have used that description when the organization put rookie right-hander Beau Brieske on the 15-day injured list.

Instead, Brieske is listed with right forearm soreness.

The Tigers placed the 24-year-old on the injured list July 21, retroactive to July 18, meaning he isn't eligible to return until Aug. 2. Before Brieske takes the mound in the majors, he will stop through Triple-A Toledo for a brief rehab assignment.

[ Tigers sign MLB draft's No. 12 overall pick Jace Jung. Here's what's next for him ]

"I was battling normal fatigue," Brieske said. "Also, my body was not used to the amount of stress that major league outings have and the five-day rotation. I didn't get to experience that last year in the minor leagues, just because the way the season was set up and the way the schedule was set up."

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, left, takes the baseball from pitcher Beau Brieske, right, during the fourth inning on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Phoenix.
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, left, takes the baseball from pitcher Beau Brieske, right, during the fourth inning on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Phoenix.

Brieske, who never stopped throwing, isn't dealing with a significant injury. The timing of what amounts to a mid-season break makes sense based on the organization's big-picture plan for his development.

"I didn't want to make it a bigger deal than what it is, knowing they have my best interest in mind and want the best for me this year and moving forward into future years ahead," Brieske said. "It's part of the deal. ... It's a time for me to allow my body to feel better than it has since spring training."

For the rest of the season, the Tigers will closely monitor Brieske's innings, similar to how they handled Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal last season.

When spring training started, the player development department determined how many innings Brieske could throw in 2022. The exact amount is unclear, but if he follows a 20% increase from last season, he won't complete more than 130 innings.

JEFF SEIDEL: How Spencer Torkelson is trying to put the pieces together and return to Tigers

GRADES: One 'F' and one 'A' for Tigers among the mess in the first half of the season

Right now, he has pitched 91⅔ innings.

"I appreciate the Tigers training staff," Brieske said. "I feel like they have my back and they're looking out for me. They have my best intentions in mind. We definitely have a plan going forward as far as the way we want to go about this. I just continue to put my head down and keep working."

In 2021, Brieske threw 106⅔ innings across 21 starts for High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie. This year, the former 27th round pick has pitched 10 innings for Triple-A Toledo and 81⅔ innings for the Tigers.

At some point, Brieske could make shortened, three-inning starts.

"There was an innings limit prior to the season," Brieske said, "so I knew my year was going to be adjusted in some way, shape or form. I trusted the plan that they had in place for me, and I feel like it could be a good thing for me moving forward."

FINALLY, A CONVERSATION: Eduardo Rodriguez and Tigers connect after one month of silence

THE CLOSER: How Tigers' Gregory Soto, a two-time All-Star, became an established closer

Brieske, in 15 starts for the Tigers this season, has posted a 4.19 ERA with 25 walks and 54 strikeouts. After some trouble at the end of June, he delivered a 2.95 ERA over 18⅓ innings in three starts in July.

He is fearless on the mound, confident in his preparation, the ultimate competitor and has developed into a piece to the Tigers' future.

The team is focused on keeping him healthy.

"It's just been my mental process of trusting myself to compete," Brieske said. "That's the thing I'm most proud of, not getting in my own way. There were a few outings earlier this year where I felt like I beat myself. I didn't get beat, but I beat myself by not being myself. That's where I'm most proud of myself, being able to go out there with a clear mind, compete and trust myself. I got myself to that place mentally, and I think that is the most important progress."

Another pitcher to IL

The Tigers placed right-hander Rony García on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder soreness.

"He's going to need a little bit of time of no throw, and then we'll have to build him back up and get him strengthened," manager A.J. Hinch said. "There's no structural issue that they're concerned about, which is good. ... It's going to take at least a couple of weeks."

LATEST INJURY: Tigers pitcher Rony García leaves game with right shoulder soreness

THE DRAFT: Tigers prioritized position players early, pitchers later in 2022 MLB draft. Here's why

The 24-year-old exited Sunday's start in the third inning with the injury, after throwing 62 pitches, and received the same diagnosis as his previous injury. Before Sunday, he hadn't pitched since June 29 due to right shoulder soreness.

"My arm is bothering me on the frontal part of my shoulder," García said. "It's very frustrating, given that it's been three years since I've been in the major leagues, and I haven't been able to complete the whole season because of injuries."

For the corresponding roster move, the Tigers promoted right-hander Garrett Hill from Triple-A Toledo. He will start Tuesday against the San Diego Padres at Comerica Park and could stick in the rotation to fill García's spot.

Coaching first

First base coach Gary Jones tested positive for COVID-19.

While Jones is sidelined, assistant hitting coach Mike Hessman will coach first base.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Beau Brieske getting the Mize-Skubal treatment