Call to the pen
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Detroit Tigers: Future is delayed for two prospects

By David Hill

NORTH PORT, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Matt Manning #83 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the Spring Training game against the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on February 23, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
NORTH PORT, FL - FEBRUARY 23: Matt Manning #83 of the Detroit Tigers pitches during the Spring Training game against the Atlanta Braves at CoolToday Park on February 23, 2020 in North Port, Florida. The Tigers defeated the Braves 5-1. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Two pieces of the Detroit Tigers future will have to wait to make their major league debuts.

In a sense, the future is now for the Detroit Tigers. Top prospects Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal have joined the starting rotation, giving the fans a taste of what the organization hopes will be the start of a dominant decade. The hope was that Matt Manning and Alex Faedo, the other two prospects for the future rotation, would debut this year as well.

Those hopes will have to wait. Both pitchers were diagnosed with right forearm strains, and have been shut down for the rest of the year. It is significant to note that both pitchers were seen by four specialists, all of which confirmed that this is just a minor issue.

Nonetheless, the Tigers are understandably opting for caution. It is better to wait until next spring than to risk a more significant injury in an abbreviated season. While Manning and Faedo could help the Tigers’ push for the eighth playoff spot, the future is far more important.

More Tigers. Mize gives fans taste of what is to come. light

Both pitchers were already behind when it came to being ready for the season. Manning had been battling his mechanics during summer camp, an issue that had been present through the initial spring training. Faedo, meanwhile, had been battling COVID-19 throughout summer camp, and was only starting to ramp back up.

A consensus top 50 prospect entering 2020, Manning had dominated in AA last season. He posted an 11-5 record with a 2.56 ERA and a 0.980 WHiP, striking out 148 batters with 38 walks in his 133.2 innings. While Faedo is not as highly regarded, he also pitched well in Erie, posting a 3.90 ERA and a 1.118 WHiP, striking out 134 batters with 25 walks in 115.1 innings.

It is that potential that the Tigers are hoping to protect. While Manning and Faedo would be a theoretical upgrade over whatever Matthew Boyd has been, the Tigers do have Ivan Nova on the cusp of returning and an already full rotation. There is no reason to push either prospect.

Next. The surprising Spencer Turnbull. dark

Hopefully, Matt Manning and Alex Faedo will be healthy for 2021. At that point, the future can truly arrive for the Detroit Tigers.

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