As part of their 2026 MLB Trade Deadline, the Detroit Tigers were faced with multiple difficult choices that ultimately resulted in the trades of pitchers Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize to the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, respectively.
The Tigers dealt Mize along with infielder/outfielder Gage Workman to San Diego, and received highly regarded left-handed pitching prospect Kash Mayfield and left-hander Jackson Wolf in return.
However, Mize is off to a difficult start with his new club, and it came to a head on Saturday evening against the Minnesota Twins. Mize slipped on the dugout steps between innings, resulting in an ankle sprain. He tried to continue but exited after 2⅔ innings with a trainer.
Former Detroit Tigers Pitcher Casey Mize, Now With The Padres, Was Injured On Saturday Evening
GettyBraves predicted to acquire Casey Mize.
While Mize was seen limping in San Diego’s clubhouse afterward, initial reports emerged that the tests showed no structural damage to his ankle.
According to Mize, the spike in his cleat was awkwardly caught on the edge of the step and resulted in him rolling his ankle.
“I think my spike got caught on like the edge of the step, I guess, and then it kind of just made me slip a little bit,” Mize said via MLB.com. “I tried to catch myself, and I ended up rolling my ankle kind of on the bottom step there.”
Casey Mize Hopes His Injury Only Keeps Him Unavailable Day-To-Day
Naturally, Mize hopes that he’s not unavailable for long.
“I’m hoping it’s day-to-day,” Mize said. “We just got done doing some treatment. Do a little bit more, see how tomorrow goes. Hoping that I’m fine and can make my next [start] and can get back out there.”
At 70-60, the Padres are currently second overall in the National League West Division standings behind Skubal and the Dodgers.
A native of Springville, Alabama, Mize was taken first overall by the Tigers in the 2018 MLB Draft and reached the majors two years later. Since debuting, Mize has posted a 28-32 record, 4.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 460 strikeouts between his time in Detroit and San Diego.
Mize, who signed a one-year, $6.125 million deal with the Tigers for this season after avoiding salary arbitration, can become an unrestricted free agent following the current campaign.
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