Tigers P Casey Mize throws in first game after 22 months

Apr 9, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (12) pitches in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize appeared in a major league game on Tuesday for the first time in 22 months following his recovery from Tommy John and back surgeries.

Mize, who was the first pick of the 2018 MLB Draft, threw 1 2/3 innings, giving up two runs on one hit and two walks. He had one strikeout.

Mize threw 35 pitches on the day, 17 of them for strikes. His fastball averaged 95.8 mph and hit a high of 97.3 mph, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The 26-year-old Mize hadn’t pitched in an MLB game since April 14, 2022, and he said earlier this week at Tigers camp in Lakeland, Fla., that he had put rehab in the past.

“Now I can focus on the stuff that’s fun to me, designing pitches and executing at a high level, which I love to do,” Mize said. “It’s good to be back in that mindset.”

Mize appreciates his career in a new way now.

“I definitely went through a really challenging time, so it just means a lot to me to be able to be back and compete,” he said.

“I don’t want to be the player that’s viewed as always hurt. I don’t think that’s really the case. It’s just obviously I missed a lot of time, but I had a very major, very common surgery. If you look around the room at the scars, there’s a few. And I was able to lean on them for those experiences, too. … I’m not sure what this year’s going to bring me, but I’ve been able to see a lot of guys go through it. Just to be healthy again, it feels really good.”

Mize has a 7-13 career record with a 4.29 ERA in 39 games (all starts). He has struck out 148 batters and walked 56 in 188 2/3 innings.

–Field Level Media