Washington, D.C. — You can’t blame Tigers manager AJ Hinch for keeping things low-key regarding injured lefty pitcher Tarik Skubal’s recovery plan.
He’s been down this road too many times in the last few years. When players are working their way back after surgery, like Skubal is from flexor tendon surgery, things progress until they don’t. Setbacks happen. Best to take things one gradual step at a time and avoid putting too many actual dates on the timeline.
That said, it’s an encouraging sign that the Tigers brought Skubal on this two-city trip.
“He’s not being activated,” Hinch said, smiling.
No. But he is accelerating the intensity of his throwing program to the point where he could start facing some live hitters reasonably soon.
“I am progressing in the right way,” Skubal said Friday before the game. “It’s good to be with the team and throwing my bullpen with (Chris) Fetter, Juan (Nieves) and Robin (Lund).”
Fetter, Nieves and Lund, of course, are the Tigers’ big-league pitching department, and they will be monitoring Skubal on Saturday when he throws his seventh bullpen session.
“Tarik is on the trip because of the activity he’s going to do on the trip,” Hinch said. “When that includes a little more intense work, we want it to be with Fett, Robin and Juan. We always love having Tarik around our team. But there is a little added intensity that comes with coming on the trip.
“We will do that with the other guys, too, as they start to ramp up more aggressively.”
Asked directly if Skubal would be facing hitters soon, Hinch said, “We’ll see. We’re just trying to get through the next bullpen and go from there.”
Hello old friend
Former Tiger Jeimer Candelario is settling in quite nicely to his new environment.
“Yeah, definitely very comfortable here,” he said. “I would say I’m in a good position to help the young guys here. We’ve got a lot of talent here. We work really hard and take care of business.”
Candelario, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Nationals after the Tigers opted not to tender him a contract last November, has been taking care of his business at the plate. In 16 games since April 30, Candelario is slashing .304/.391/.518 with a .909 OPS.
Entering play Friday, he’d reached base safely in 11 of his last 16 plate appearances, going 10-for-15 with three doubles, a triple, homer, three RBIs and four runs scored.
“The key is being consistent with my routine and just let everything happen,” he said. “I just control what I can control and be ready to go every day. It’s like I always said, just keep working hard. If you can hit, you’re going to hit. It’s just a matter of things falling your way.”
Candelario said he harbors no bitterness or ill will for how things ended in Detroit.
“You know how it is, this is a business,” he said. “They made their decision on what they wanted to do and I made my decision, too. I feel love and appreciation for the opportunity they gave me there in Detroit and always they’re going to have love for me.”
Hinch agreed with that last statement.
“You always root hard for your guys to land somewhere where they can get opportunity and do well,” he said. “Everyone loves Jeimer. It doesn’t surprise me the least bit that he’s found a home and is contributing. It’s good to see him. He’s the same Jeimer we all loved here. But then we will lock in and try to get him out.”
Around the horn
Outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) is also on the trip. He did some outfield drills with coach Gary Jones before the game and he’s taking batting practice in the cage. He’s still limited to throwing short distances. The Tigers have not set any time frame for when he will start a rehab assignment.
… Right-handed reliever Trey Wingenter (biceps tendinitis) has moved his rehab work to Lakeland. He’s still building up his arm strength, throwing out to 90 feet.
… Matt Manning (right foot fracture), Spencer Turnbull (neck) and Casey Mize (elbow, back) stayed in Detroit to continue their rehab work there.
… Right-hander Freddy Pacheco, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, had a setback. He complained of soreness after his bullpen session Friday. His throwing program has been stopped. The Tigers claimed Pacheco off waivers from the Cardinals.
Tigers at Nationals
▶ First pitch: 4:05 p.m. Saturday, Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
▶ TV/radio: BSD/97.1
SCOUTING REPORT
▶ RHP Alex Faedo (0-1, 4.22), Tigers: This will be his third start and he’s coming off a good one, limiting the Mariners to three runs in six innings with a career-high seven strikeouts. He hasn’t deviated from his plan much in his two starts — four-seam, slider. He’s neutralized left-handed hitters but righties have produced three of the four homers he’s allowed, two off the slider.
▶ LHP Patrick Corbin (2-5, 4.65), Nationals: He’s been on a good run, six straight starts allowing three earned runs or less. In May, even better, allowing six earned runs in 19 innings with 10 strikeouts and just one walk over three starts. He does lead baseball in hits allowed (62) and opponents are hitting .295 against him, but he keeps runs down an effective sinker-slider combination. The slider is elite, holding hitters to a .175 average with a 35% whiff rate.
chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @cmccosky