The Detroit Tigers could have right-hander Troy Melton in the rotation for a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, reports Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic.
Melton has been on the injured list the entire season with an elbow strain. The club is still considering how he’ll slot into the rotation, per Stavenhagen. Detroit opens a three-game set in Baltimore on Friday, May 22.
Detroit Tigers Injury Update: Troy Melton Could Return Against the Baltimore Orioles
Melton debuted with the Tigers in 2025. He delivered a 2.76 ERA across 16 appearances. The righty worked primarily out of the bullpen, but also made four starts. Melton was typically utilized in a multi-inning role. He racked up 45.2 frames in his 16 outings. The Pittsburgh Pirates tagged Melton for six earned runs over five innings in his first MLB game. He bounced back with seven scoreless frames against the Arizona Diamondbacks, earning his first career win.
With Detroit using its “pitching chaos” approach in the 2025 playoffs, Melton contributed in a multi-faceted role. He was hammered for four earned runs in relief against the Cleveland Guardians in the second game of the Wild Card round. Melton made a traditional start in Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series vs. the Seattle Mariners. He held one of the top offenses in the AL to one run over four innings. Detroit earned the victory in extra innings.
Melton tossed three innings in Game 4 against Seattle. He held the Mariners scoreless and earned the win in relief. The righty came back with just one day of rest to throw a scoreless 10th inning in a wild, extra-inning loss in the final game of the series.
The Tigers selected Melton with the 117th pick of the 2022 draft. He was a consensus top 10 prospect in the organization before his promotion in 2025.
Tigers Finally Getting Healthy on the Mound
Pitching injuries have hampered Detroit for much of the season. The club has been without Melton, Reese Olson, and Jackson Jobe all year. Veteran Justin Verlander hit the injured list after just one appearance in his return to the club. Casey Mize only recently came back from a groin strain. The big absence is two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who underwent elbow surgery to remove loose bodies from the area.
Melton’s return will give Detroit a viable option in the rotation alongside Mize, Framber Valdez, and Jack Flaherty. Versatile right-hander Keider Montero has pitched reasonably well after getting pressed into service, but he’s more suited for a swingman role. The same goes for Drew Anderson, who was signed this offseason after several seasons in Asia.
Skubal is on track to make a surprisingly quick return from elbow surgery. The lefty is already back on the mound and could return to the big leagues after only missing six weeks.
Tigers Injured Pitcher Nearing Return Against Orioles: ‘He’s fully ready to go’