Mize has ‘no concerns’ after cutting live BP short
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize — rehabbing from elbow surgery and back surgery — planned to throw anywhere from 20-25 pitches in his second live batting practice session Wednesday at Comerica Park.
The 26-year-old ended up throwing about 17 pitches. Mize, the 2018 No. 1 overall pick, stopped Wednesday’s session in the middle of a matchup with Akil Baddoo his because of arm fatigue.
“I felt like that was enough for the day,” Mize said.
Manager A.J. Hinch, who watched Wednesday’s session from behind home plate, wasn’t concerned about Mize’s inability to increase his pitch-count volume from his first live batting practice session, which totaled 20 pitches.
Mize shared insight into the lengthy rehab process in return from Tommy John surgery, offering an important reminder. (He underwent Tommy John surgery on June 15, 2022, then back surgery shortly after that.)
“No concerns,” Mize said Thursday. “I love being up here throughout this process, but this is stuff that you all are seeing for the first time. This is not linear at all. In Lakeland, guys miss months with setbacks during this and nobody hears about it because they’re away.”
After Wednesday’s live batting practice, Mize gathered near home plate with Hinch, pitching coach Chris Fetter, assistant pitching coach Robin Lund, video coordinator Austin Tripp and head athletic trainer Ryne Eubanks.
That type of interaction wouldn’t have happened if Mize was stationed in Lakeland, Florida, at the spring training facility. Still, there’s one drawback: In Lakeland, nobody is watching Mize; in Detroit, everybody is watching.
“That’s the slightly negative part of it,” Mize said. “No hate or anything, but that’s stuff that you guys are able to see that we’re able to keep out of the spotlight down there. I still wouldn’t trade it. I love being up here. I love it. But I’m just saying, you all are seeing the process of what this really looks like. It’s not linear. It’s not pretty. It’s not amazing. It’s ugly, and it’s tough. There’s stuff that comes up that you wish wouldn’t, but you do what you do to get through it. That’s what we’re going to do.”
The timing of Mize’s second live batting practice session, just like the first live batting practice
Mize couldn’t say whether or not he will begin a rehab assignment before the offseason. He almost certainly won’t return to the Tigers in the 2023 season because there are 29 games remaining on the schedule.
“There’s plenty of stuff I would love to do,” Mize said, “but it might be disappointing if I can’t, and it might be the best feeling in the world if I can. I’m hoping it’s that. It’s stuff I honestly cannot have an answer for. It’s day-by-day, step-by-step, and then we move forward from there. I know that’s not the answer anybody is looking for. That’s not what I want to say either, but
it’s the truth.”
Guardians claim Giolito, López and Moore off waivers
CLEVELAND — The Guardians are hoping some Angels throwaways can help their playoff push.
Trying to chase down Minnesota in the AL Central race, Cleveland claimed starter Lucas Giolito and relievers Matt Moore and Reynaldo López off waivers from Los Angeles on Thursday, acquisitions that didn’t cost the Guardians any prospects.
After going 4-2 on a recent road trip, the Guardians are five games behind the first-place Twins with 28 games left. Cleveland will host Minnesota for a three-game series next week.
Reds claim OF Bader on waivers from Yankees
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Reds claimed Harrison Bader off waivers from the New York Yankees on Thursday, adding a speedy center fielder for the final month of their attempt to reach playoffs.
A Gold Glove winner with St. Louis in 2021, Bader hit .240 with seven homers, 37 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 18 attempts over 84 games with New York this year. Bader strained his left oblique in spring training and didn’t make his season debut until May 2.
He has a $4.7 million salary and the Reds will assume $783,333 he is owed for the final 31 days of the season. Bader is eligible for free agency after the World Series.
Former MVP Donaldson signs with Brewers
MILWAUKEE – Former AL MVP Josh Donaldson signed a minor league deal with the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, two days after the New York Yankees released him.
The Brewers said Donaldson will report to their Triple-A affiliate in Nashville, Tennessee.
By signing Thursday, Donaldson can be eligible for postseason play with the Brewers and doesn’t have to finish the remainder of his stint on the 60-day injured list. Donaldson went on the injured list July 16 with a strained right calf and was moved to the 60-day injured list four days later.
The Brewers only have to pay Donaldson a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum.
Thursday’s game
Marlins 6, Nationals 1: Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a three-run homer as visiting Miami climbed back to .500. Jake Burger added his 28th home run of the season for the Marlins, who entered Thursday having lost eight of 10. Braxton Garrett (8-5) and three relievers combined on a three-hitter. Miami’s Luis Arraez singled twice, raising his MLB-best average to .349.