Once the Chicago White Sox designated starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel for assignment on Saturday morning, the Detroit Tigers should have started making plans to pick up the veteran left-hander to shore up their ailing rotation.
After being designated for assignment, Dallas Keuchel pitching for the Detroit Tigers makes too much sense to not happen
The Detroit Tigers have been dealing with a myriad of injuries to their starting pitchers this season. Right-hander Matt Manning has been on the injured list since April 20 with just two starts under his belt. He’s recently been shut down until further notice with bicep tendinitis and will not be throwing any time soon.
Meanwhile, Casey Mize, on the injured list since April 15, is once again “preparing to initiate a throwing program” and is still a ways away from returning to an MLB mound. Eduardo Rodriguez and Tyler Alexander are working their way back from injuries while Michael Pineda is further down the road on the recovery side of the things after suffering a broken finger.
Injuries have derailed Detroit’s hopes to contend in the American League Central to this point in the season. Acquiring Keuchel could at least fill a gap for the Tigers until other starters can make their return.
Much like the St. Louis Cardinals brought veteran pitchers J.A. Happ and Jon Lester last season when injuries struck them in order to help eat innings, Detroit can bring in the 34-year-old Keuchel to do the same. If he simply provides a bridge for the Tigers until other starters can heal, great. If he shows he can rebound from the 7.88 ERA/6.20 FIP/2.156 he posted with the White Sox in 32 innings this season, even better for a Tigers team that needs something positive to happen on the mound.
Keuchel finished fifth in American League Cy Young voting as recently as the pandemic-shortened season of 2020, posting a 1.99 ERA in 11 starts. With injuries ravaging Detroit’s starting pitching and the Tigers needed arms, taking a chance on Keuchel makes sense for the Motor City.