DETROIT — Beau Brieske has been a bright spot on the Tigers’ pitching staff since he returned from the injured list after the All-Star break. Whether he returns to the starting role he had in 2022 remains to be seen, but he’s definitely been effective out of the bullpen.
Brieske, who registered the only 1-2-3 inning on Saturday night for Detroit during a 9-2 loss to the Astros at Comerica Park, has pitched in 16 games after recovering from discomfort in his upper right arm. The rehabilitation was lengthy for what was eventually termed right ulnar nerve entrapment.
“That was the toughest point in my career,” the 25-year-old said. “There were just so many questions. There was no concrete real reason as to why it was bothering me so much.
“I was still able to get similar output on my stuff, but it was just so painful to go out and do it. You trace it all the way back to last year. I was throwing through it last year. Then it got to the point where it was too much. I ended up not finishing last season and spent the entire offseason rehabbing it [at home in Arizona], trying to get ready.”
Brieske said the pain was worse in Spring Training despite those efforts, adding, “It would kill me to go more than one inning.”
But he stayed with the challenging rehab — going 368 consecutive trying days without pitching in the Majors — to return to the roster six weeks ago.
“Beau is an important part of our ‘pen,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said after Saturday night’s game. “Tonight, he had a pretty good sinker, and he was getting a lot of chop off it. We wanted to limit it to one inning so that he would be available if we want to use him [Sunday].
“He’s been a multi-inning guy for us. But when we go to the bullpen in the fifth, it kind of forces guys to pitch. It wasn’t necessarily the right situation for him. But his stuff plays. It plays in any inning he gets in.”
Brieske was 3-6 with a 4.19 ERA in 15 starts (81 2/3 innings) last season before right forearm soreness effectively ended his season on July 12. While his two injuries overlapped, neither required surgery.
“He can pitch at this level,” Hinch said. “More than anything, we can’t forget how young he is, and he’s going to be a good pitcher. We’ve got to get him more resilient. …
“He’s going to be a starter again down the road, but my usage [is] showing you that I like using him. And I like using him more in wins.”
Brieske said he still isn’t 100 percent, but he feels significantly better than he has in more than a year.
“It affected my performance,” he said. “I was out there trying to protect myself as opposed to just pitching. It was … very hard and frustrating.”
Brieske said the bullpen became the best option this season because throwing more than an inning or two wasn’t possible.
“I’m very appreciative of how understanding and helpful the team has been through this entire process of trying to get me back, and find a role that maximized what I could do for the team and myself,” he said.
“It’s been the perfect combination. We tried every single thing in the book to get this thing better, and I finally got to the point where I could throw one bullpen without pain, one live inning without pain. There are setbacks along the way, but you just have to stay the course and try to keep going. Now I’m able to compete and get my work in between outings.”
Brieske said he is looking forward to “getting completely right” this offseason and hopes that’ll help him stay healthy throughout 2024 as well.
“It gives me confidence that the manager and pitching coach [Chris Fetter] like the way that I’ve gone about my work and the way I attack hitters,” he said. “I just think it’s a good step in my career … in making me a more well-rounded pitcher.
“If I get back in the starter role, this is going to help me. But I will have a conversation about that with the team next year, and whatever they feel is right for me and the team. For now, I’m just focusing on getting my three outs in an inning.”