The Detroit Tigers dodged a bullet.
Right-hander Matt Manning, currently on the 60-day injured list, is “symptom-free” after being shut down in late September with a right forearm strain, the team announced Tuesday. He was scheduled to visit Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas for further evaluation following the regular season.
Manning, 24, is performing his normal offseason routine.
MORE ON MANNING:Tigers’ Matt Manning wants to ‘get my body right’ for 2023. What that means for his pitches
A healthy Manning, the No. 9 overall pick in 2016, is a critical for the Tigers in 2023, as the Opening Day starting rotation will be without right-hander Casey Mize and left-hander Tarik Skubal. Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, the best pitcher in the rotation, finished last season healthy despite a lengthy mid-season absence while on the restricted list.
As for the supporting cast, right-handers Spencer Turnbull (right elbow strain), Alex Faedo (right hip injury) and Beau Brieske (right forearm soreness) will be ready for spring training in February.
Turnbull, who underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2021 after throwing a no-hitter, and Brieske are both “symptom-free” and performing their normal offseason throwing progressions. Turnbull has a guaranteed contract for 2023, set at $2.15 million.
Faedo started 12 games for the Tigers last season before a hip injury in mid-July derailed his first season in the big leagues. By late July, the 2017 No. 18 overall pick had season-ending surgery. He is currently focused on range of motion, strength and balance.
The Tigers expect Faedo to start his throwing progression in mid-November.
Here are other medical updates for players on the injured list, according to the club:
• Right-handed reliever Kyle Funkhouser (right shoulder sprain) hasn’t pitched since 2021 and underwent shoulder surgery in July 2022. He is still in the pre-throwing phase of his rehabilitation program. On Nov. 18, the Tigers must decide whether or not to tender him a contract for 2023.
• Right-handed pitcher Rony García (right shoulder soreness) is performing his normal offseason throwing progression.
• Left-handed reliever Sean Guenther (left elbow ulnar collateral ligament injury), claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Nov. 2, is throwing up to 75 feet and is expected to pitch off the mound at the end of spring training. He underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2022.
• Right-handed reliever Joe Jiménez (right lumbar spine strain) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training. For now, he is working on gaining stability in his lumbar spine and strengthening control of his core. On Nov. 18, the Tigers must decide whether or not to tender him a contract for 2023.
• Right-handed starter Casey Mize (right elbow sprain) is working on maintaining full range of motion and is progressing into the strength phase of his rehabilitation. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2022 and is likely to miss the entire 2023 season.
• Left-handed starter Tarik Skubal (left elbow flexor muscle repair) had flexor tendon surgery in August 2022. He is currently focused on forearm and grip strength without restriction. If all goes as planned, Skubal should return to the Tigers at some point in 2023.
• Outfielder Kerry Carpenter (left lumbar spine strain) will start his normal offseason hitting progression in December.
• Utility player Willi Castro (left hamstring strain) is performing his normal offseason program. On Nov. 18, the Tigers must decide whether or not to tender him a contract for 2023.
• Outfielder Austin Meadows (bilateral Achilles strains) is performing his normal offseason program. On Nov. 18, the Tigers must decide whether or not to tender him a contract for 2023.
• Catcher Jake Rogers (right elbow sprain) has started a throwing progression and is throwing up to 60 feet. He underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2021.