The Detroit Tigers are pulling Casey Mize from his scheduled start in West Sacramento tonight, Friday, July 31, against the Athletics ahead of the trade deadline.
The club made a similar move two years ago with Jack Flaherty.
If Mize is not traded, he will pitch the opener in Seattle on Tuesday, August 4. The Tigers will throw a bullpen game in place of Mize's start Friday, July 31.
The Tigers are in position to change the tenor and path of their season in the next 72 hours. Tarik Skubal remains the most coveted asset on the big-league roster, but Mize is having a career season and should be valuable.
Gleyber Torres, the team's second baseman, could also attract interest
from teams making a playoff push.
Framber Valdez and Keider Montero are scheduled to start the second and third games of the series in West Sacramento.
No deal is imminent for Mize. The move is precautionary as the trade deadline nears.
Contact Shawn Windsor: swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him @shawnwindsor.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers scratch Casey Mize ahead of start as trade deadline precaution
