ARLINGTON, Texas — Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Will Vest suffered right knee discomfort in Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers.
By Tuesday afternoon, the 28-year-old landed on the 15-day injured list with a right lower leg strain. To replace him, the Tigers recalled left-handed reliever Anthony Misiewicz from Triple-A Toledo.
“His injury is muscle in nature, which I think is a good sign,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday. “He needs further evaluation to exactly pinpoint. … We know he’s going to miss a couple of weeks at a minimum. Those things usually linger, and then the arm and the throwing.”
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The injury occurred when Vest threw a pitch — his 17th and final pitch — in the second inning and almost fell down the mound at Globe Life Field. Vest is scheduled to return to Detroit for medical tests with the Tigers’ doctors.
“The injured list was not up for debate,” Hinch said. “Declaring a timeline or declaring the actual injury, we need him to meet with our doctors. He took an MRI, so we got an initial reading, but not enough to pinpoint what the next step is.”
As for Vest’s replacement, Misiewicz joins the active roster after the Tigers claimed him off waivers June 18 from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Born in Michigan, the 28-year-old attended New Baltimore Anchor Bay High School and Michigan State.
He grew up cheering for the Tigers.
“I can remember coming down every weekend when I was in high school, catching the Tigers games as much as I could,” Misiewicz said. “In college, I hoped they would draft me to stay in my hometown, but I think it’s a little better that I spent some time away and came back. It’s a good reunion.”
Misiewicz, who has a 4.51 ERA in 126 games across parts of four MLB seasons, posted a 13.50 ERA with one walk and three strikeouts in three games for Triple-A Toledo. He throws a four-seam fastball, cutter, curveball and slider.
The Tigers wanted another left-handed pitcher in the bullpen against the Rangers.
After pitching in Monday’s 7-2 win, lefty relievers Tyler Alexander and Tyler Holton might not be available until Thursday’s series finale against the Rangers. Alexander threw 40 pitches, while Holton threw 22 pitches.
Fellow lefty reliever Chasen Shreve pitched back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday before resting Monday.
“This team is very balanced, and last night, we used a lot of resources,” Hinch said. “It does give us a little more balance in the bullpen when you consider who’s going to be available day-to-day.”
The Tigers also placed left-hander Matthew Boyd on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow sprain. The 32-year-old, a nine-year MLB veteran, will undergo Tommy John surgery in the near future.
Placing Boyd on the 60-day injured list cleared a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Matt Manning, who recovered from a right foot fracture, to return from the 60-day injured list.
“With the bullpen being taxed the last couple of games, we need him to hopefully have a normal starter workload,” Hinch said of Manning, who started Tuesday’s game. “That would be ideal. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, or how long of a leash he’s going to have, but I think that would be the best outcome.”
Change of plans
Right-hander Alex Faedo (right middle finger discomfort) was supposed to start for High-A West Michigan on Tuesday to begin his rehab assignment, but the Whitecaps postponed their game because of poor air quality.
Anticipating a postponement, the Tigers rushed Faedo from Comstock Park in Michigan to Toledo in Ohio. The 27-year-old faced two hitters, including top prospect Colt Keith, at Fifth Third Field.
He completed a three-inning simulated game, throwing 45 pitches.
Faedo traveled with the Mud Hens on Tuesday afternoon for the six-game series against Triple-A Columbus, which begins Wednesday. He will start for Triple-A Toledo over the weekend.
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Other medical updates
∙ Right-hander Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, lumbar strain) is scheduled to a throw his first bullpen Wednesday at Globe Life Field. The 26-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2022.
∙ Left-hander Tarik Skubal (left elbow strain), who threw his first bullpen April 30, is scheduled to start Wednesday for Triple-A Toledo. It will be his fifth, and possibly his final, rehab start in return from flexor tendon surgery. Right-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (left index finger pulley rupture) is scheduled to start Thursday for the Mud Hens.
∙ Right-hander Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort) has been cleared to throw a touch-and-feel bullpen later this week.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.