Tigers begin process of sorting out rotation post-Tarik Skubal
· Yahoo Sports
Sacramento, Calif. — The Tigers formally announced the trade that was reported late Saturday night.
All the physicals were passed, all the paperwork finalized: Two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is now a Los Angeles Dodger.
Visit xsportfeed.life for more information.
The Tigers have assigned the three players they got in return to three different levels of their system.
▶ Right-handed pitcher River Ryan, who is 27 and the closest to being big-league ready, was assigned to Triple-A Toledo. He is still recovering from a hamstring injury. He debuted with the San Diego Padres in 2024 but was shut down soon after with a UCL tear and Tommy John surgery.
▶ Outfielder Zyhir Hope, 21, who was the No. 5-rated prospect in the Dodgers’ system and No. 25 in baseball (per MLB Pipeline), will report to Double-A Erie.
▶ Right-handed pitcher Brady Smith, 21, the Dodgers’ No. 17-rated prospect, will report to High-A West Michigan.
The Tigers also called up right-handed reliever Brenan Hanifee to fill Skubal’s spot on the active roster.
The Tigers are still working through how the rotation might look after the trade deadline Monday. Casey Mize, a pending free agent at season’s end, is now at or near the top of the list for teams looking to acquire starting pitching.
It is possible that Jackson Jobe will be called up at some point this week. He was scheduled to make his fifth rehab start Sunday at West Michigan.
Jack Flaherty, who is dealing with a strained flexor tendon, hasn’t been cleared to throw and there is no timetable for his return.
Justin Verlander (groin) is not yet throwing off a mound.
As it stands now, Mize, Framber Valdez, Troy Melton and Keider Montero comprise the rotation.
Besides Jobe, Ty Madden could also be moved into the rotation.
“We will get to the off day Monday and try to sort all that out,” manager AJ Hinch said Saturday night.
This story will be updated.
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers begin process of sorting out rotation post-Tarik Skubal