Julio Teheran‘s last-minute scratch from his scheduled start will lead to a longer absence. The Tigers placed the veteran right-hander on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with what is being classified as a right shoulder strain.
The move, retroactive to Friday, will cost Teheran at least one start before he’s eligible to return.
Teheran was in his pregame warmup routine for Friday’s series opener in Cleveland when he felt tightness in his right triceps. Teheran told coaches he was willing to pitch, but the Tigers shut him down for precautionary reasons. Derek Holland stepped in from the bullpen to make the spot start and pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing a three-run home run to Franmil Reyes in the opening inning that the Tigers never overcame.
More pertinent to the Tigers’ plans without Teheran was who finished the game. Michael Fulmer pitched the final four innings in relief, allowing only another Reyes homer and a José Ramírez infield single while striking out five. He’s expected to step into the rotation when Teheran’s spot comes up on Wednesday in Houston.
With Fulmer moving into the rotation, the Tigers recalled right-hander Alex Lange from their taxi squad to fill Fulmer’s spot in the bullpen. It’s the first Major League stint for Lange, the Tigers’ No. 29 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. The 25-year-old right-hander made a strong impression in Spring Training, his fastball bumping up to 97 mph over five Grapefruit League appearances to go along with his sharp breaking pitches.
Teheran has been surprisingly durable over his decade in the Majors. The 30-year-old made at least 30 starts in each of his seven full seasons with the Braves before making nine starts for the Angels in last year’s abbreviated season.