Detroit Tigers pitcher Keider Montero (54) delivers against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The Detroit Tigers head into a weekend series against the host Kansas City Royals on Friday in a difficult stretch. After being swept in three games by the visiting Boston Red Sox, the Tigers had a much-needed off day on Thursday. Detroit has won only four of its last 12 games and is missing four of the five starters from its Opening Day rotation due to injuries or suspension.
Tarik Skubal underwent surgery this week to remove loose bodies from his pitching elbow. Casey Mize (adductor strain) and Justin Verlander (hip inflammation) are on the injured list. Framber Valdez is serving a five-game suspension for hitting Boston’s Trevor Story with a pitch after allowing back-to-back home runs on Tuesday night.
“You have to go out there and expect to win every game,” said Detroit bench coach George Lombard, who served as acting manager for the Tigers’ 4-0 loss on Wednesday after manager A.J. Hinch was suspended for that game due to the Valdez incident. “That’s the mindset you have to have. I remember joking around with some guys, ‘We might go down three runs.’ And then they added one more and we’re down four. You have to think, ‘This comeback is going to be even better than we thought. We thought we just have to come back from three, now we’ve got to come back from four.’
