Detroit Tigers starter Julio Teheran ‘running out of time’ to return from injury

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Detroit Tigers starter Julio Teheran gave his best effort Saturday in Lakeland, Florida, but couldn’t attain his best performance. 

Stuck on the injured list since April 10 with a right shoulder strain, Teheran advanced past bullpen sessions and pitched live batting practice. But the right-hander was shut down for low velocity, leaving the Tigers without much hope for a return in 2021.

“Velocity is going to come last if it comes back, but it hasn’t responded,” manager AJ Hinch said Sunday. “He hasn’t been able to really let it go. That’s a slippery slope, when you’re talking about asking a player to compete at less than his best. 

“We’re running out of time. We’re going to have to determine what’s the next step for him if he’s going to make any part of the rest of the season.”

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The 30-year-old made one start for the Tigers, starting in a 5-2 victory April 3 against Cleveland at Comerica Park and allowing one run over five innings.

Although Teheran could be out for the season, the 11-year MLB veteran won’t give up.

“He wants to keep trying,” Hinch said. “He was asking for feedback yesterday. I did see the video. Look, he’s probably not going to get back to the 90-plus version of himself that he was a couple of years ago. But we certainly can’t put him out there until he can compete at a level that makes sense for him health-wise and performance-wise.”

Teheran previously played for the Atlanta Braves (2011-19) and Los Angeles Angels (2020). He signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers in February and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster in spring training, posting a 5.52 ERA, four walks and 18 strikeouts over 14⅔ innings. 

For now, Teheran seems unlikely to return to the mound until 2022. 

“He hasn’t been able to generate the arm speed that’s going to be needed for him to step into a rehab assignment,” Hinch said. “We’re going to get him reassessed. We’re talking about what’s next for him.”

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DFA’d Farmer ‘heartbroken’

Bringing up right-hander Drew Hutchison to start Sunday’s series finale meant removing a player from the 40-man roster.

To make room, righty reliever Buck Farmer was designated for assignment.

“It’s been a rocky season for him,” Hinch said. “He’s arguably pitched the best of his season in the last month or so. It’s incredibly hard news to deliver. We were honest with him. Being the odd man out is part due to putting the best team together, but also just the nature of where we’re at during the season and what we want to do for the remaining six or seven weeks of the regular season and where he did or didn’t fit in.”

Farmer, 30, pitched for the Tigers from 2014-21, combining for a 5.33 ERA over 241 games (21 starts). He made 36 appearances this season, registering a 6.37 ERA, 21 walks and 37 strikeouts in 35⅓ innings. 

After returning from the All-Star break, Farmer put up a 2.38 ERA, seven walks and 11 strikeouts in 11⅓ innings. He last pitched in Friday’s 7-4 loss to Cleveland, walking the bases loaded but escaping the jam without allowing a run.

“He was heartbroken,” Hinch said. “He cares about his work. He cares about being here. He articulated all of that to me on his way out the door. A real pro. I don’t know where this takes him. He’s going to find his way, most likely somewhere different. I loved having him here.”

If Farmer clears waivers, he can become a free agent.

Cameron ‘still feels soreness’

Rookie outfielder Daz Cameron started his rehab assignment for Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, already playing in three games. The 24-year-old is working back from a right toe sprain, which sent him to the injured list July 7, retroactive to July 5.

With Cameron, the Tigers face a dilemma.

“We’ve got to eventually pull the trigger on whether or not to bring him back with soreness,” Hinch said. “He’s reporting that he can play, and he’s doing that and moving fine. Every now and then, it bites him and doesn’t feel good. We’re being cautious with him but also letting him navigate what it’s going to be like for the next six weeks playing with a sore foot.”

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In his past three games for the Mud Hens, Cameron went 3-for-11 (.273) with one double, one RBI and two strikeouts. He hit .207 with three home runs, nine RBIs, five walks and 19 strikeouts across 18 games for the Tigers this season.

“I think he’s going to be uncomfortable probably until he takes a big gap of time off,” Hinch said. “I’ve never had a toe injury, but those that have talk about it lingering for a really long time. It happens at random times. You can get a base hit and hit first base at a weird spot, and here comes the bruise all over again or the soreness all over again.

“I think he’s going to have to play through that. He may or may not play today because of how sore he was last night. They have the off day tomorrow in Triple-A, then he will continue with his rehab.”

Evan Petzold is a sports reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.