CLEVELAND — Right-hander Alex Faedo is a member of the Detroit Tigers‘ rotation again.
Nearly a year ago, Faedo walked off the field in Kansas City to conclude his 12th and final start of 2022 with the Tigers. A lingering hip injury had led to poor results and then to season-ending surgery.
Faedo, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2017 draft, started the 2023 season in Triple-A Toledo. He received a promotion for last week’s start against the St. Louis Cardinals, and after a steady performance, he officially earned a spot in the rotation. He will start Saturday against the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park.
“Hopefully, I’ll go out there and come out of the game with a chance to win each time,” said Faedo, who has pitched in 13 games in his MLB career. “Try to throw strikes, attack. The team is obviously playing really well, so I’ll try to help in any way I can.”
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In Sunday’s 12-6 loss to the Cardinals, Faedo allowed two runs on three hits with no walks and one strikeout across 4⅔ innings, generating eight whiffs. Paul Goldschmidt blasted two solo home runs off him (part of a three-homer game for the reigning National League MVP).
“He threw the ball very well,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I thought he did a nice job to make a solid case to be in the rotation.”
Goldschmidt hit an 0-2 slider over the heart of the plate for a 433-foot solo home run in the first inning. He also hit a 3-2 fastball down-and-in for a 407-foot solo home run in the third inning.
“The 0-2 (pitch) you want back,” Faedo said. “I wish I executed that better. The 3-2 (pitch), I’m just challenging him, and he’s a Hall of Fame player. Tip the cap. Overall, some good pros and some cons to work on. I’m ready for the next one.”
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Faedo pitched deeper into Sunday’s game (72 pitches over 4⅔ innings) and nearly topped his highest pitch total from his five starts in Triple-A threw more pitches (72). He maxed out at four innings and 73 pitches at the Triple-A level, averaging 55 pitches per start.
The Tigers kept Faedo on a pitch limit to preserve his usage.
“Nothing I can do about it,” Faedo said. “If it’s three innings, four innings, whatever they’re telling me. I’m just trying to make the best of it. There’s no point in complaining. It’s for my health and for getting a full season under my belt.”
Indeed, Faedo made the most of the limited Triple-A opportunities. He logged a 2.50 ERA with four walks and 19 strikeouts across 18 innings. His pitch mix consisted of 54% four-seam fastballs, 35% sliders and 11% changeups.
Throwing strikes with multiple pitches opened the door for his return to the Tigers’ rotation. He credited multiple players and coaches in Toledo — pitching coach Doug Bochtler, pitching strategist Ollie Kadey and catchers Donny Sands and Michael Papierski — for helping him execute.
“I feel like when I’m healthy and myself, that’s the pitcher I am,” Faedo said. “I feel like I’m always trying to challenge hitters.”
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On Sunday, Faedo struck out Andrew Knizner with an 81.7 mph slider. The slider, easily his best pitch, averaged 82.7 mph throughout the game — ranging from 79.9 mph to 85 mph — after averaging 85 mph last season.
He lost velocity on his slider as the outing went along.
“Towards the end, I knew I didn’t have that swing-and-miss bite on the slider,” Faedo said. “I was trying to manipulate and get on top of it. … My slider has been my bread and butter since the day I started pitching. I think when you’re going good or you have to manipulate it a little bit, it’s the same with every pitch. I think it’s just pitching.”
This weekend, Faedo will receive another opportunity to build on his big-league résumé and prove he deserves a long-term role in the rotation. That’s what the Tigers envisioned nearly six years ago when the right-hander from Florida heard his name called in the first round.
So far, he has a 5.40 ERA in his MLB career.
“I love Faeds,” catcher Jake Rogers said. “We spent a lot of time together in the minor leagues. He put in some work last year being hurt and coming back, so I know he’s excited to be here. The boys are happy to have him.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.