The Detroit Tigers have received some good news about starting pitcher Troy Melton, who ended the season on the injured list with an issue in his throwing arm.
Melton has completed his evaluation and "he is healthy and starting his normal offseason," according to the Tigers on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Considering Melton is one of the most important young pitchers in the organization, that’s tremendous news. Melton started 20 games for the Tigers in 2026, recording 94 strikeouts in 114⅓ innings with 92 hits allowed and 37 walks. He had a 2.76 ERA, with opponents hitting .217 against him.
Melton experienced right forearm tightness and soreness in his throwing arm while pitching against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 20. He was put on the 15‑day injured
list on Sept. 21 for precautionary reasons. At that point in the season, the Tigers had nothing to play for and didn't want to risk anything. It also gave them time to check out his arm. Now, they are reporting he is healthy.
Melton had a 1.86 ERA in 16 starts through August, then had a 7.79 ERA in four September starts (15 earned runs in 17⅓ innings).
“It's just general tightness and soreness,” Melton said at the time. “There are days where you get twinges like that and it goes away. You don't think about it again. Then you do some work on it and it's gone. It just never went away.”
Any issues with Melton’s throwing arm raised instant concerns because he had issues earlier in the season. Melton, 25, was diagnosed in late February with right elbow inflammation. He went on the 60-day injured list and returned to action May 24.
“It's hard without knowing exactly for sure what's going on, but I don't think they're related,” Melton said at the time. “As of what I know right now, I wouldn't say they're similar. I mean, obviously similar body part, I guess, but I don't think it's the same thing.”
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers announce Troy Melton injury update with good news
