DETROIT – Tigers pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is on the disabled list for 45 days due to straining his right forearm.
Manager Ron Gardenhire said Saturday that the right-hander doesn’t need surgery and that he could return at the end of this shortened season. But this move obviously means it won’t launch much this year, if it does.
“He is going to rehab,” Gardenhire said. “She played catch a few times. It feels good, and then it starts to hurt a little bit, so now it’s about doing rehab and starting from there.”
This is the last year of Zimmermann’s contract with Detroit. He went 1-13 with a 6.91 ERA last year and has struggled to stay healthy while with the Tigers. He has a 5.61 ERA in four seasons with Detroit.
Zimmermann’s latest injury takes away an option for Gardenhire’s initial rotation. Remnants Matthew Boyd and Spencer Turnbull are back, along with Daniel Norris and Tyler Alexander. Michael Fulmer returns from Tommy John surgery, and Ivan Nova was acquired in the offseason.
Detroit also has several interesting launch prospects, including Casey Mize, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 draft, who could contribute at some point.
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