Tigers place Flaherty on 15-day IL

The Detroit Tigers placed starter Jack Flaherty on the 15-day injured list with right flexor inflammation after a four-inning start against the Cubs. Flaherty entered the season with a 4.59 ERA and 102 strikeouts across 86.1 innings, following a February 2025 $35 million, two-year contract. To fill the vacancy and add depth, Ty Madden was recalled from Triple-A Toledo, with the Tigers hoping for a fresh arm in a stretched relief corps. Manager A.J. Hinch praised Madden’s strike-zone command and the slider-split combination, signaling he could handle multiple roles. The IL move comes as Detroit eyes the approaching trade deadline, sitting several games back in the wild-card race and needing front-end pitching help. Veteran right-hander Justin Verlander, in town with plans to retire after the season, was among the Tigers’ updates as they navigate the bullpen and rotation during Flaherty’s absence.