Forearm strain lands Zimmermann on IL

DETROIT -- Jordan Zimmermann’s time in the Tigers' rotation could be over after the team placed the veteran right-hander on the 45-day injured list Saturday with a right forearm strain.

Zimmermann was on turn to pitch in Friday’s intrasquad game, but the 34-year-old was examined by a doctor after complaining of soreness. The forearm strain is similar to the injury that cost him two months last season and left him struggling to find an effective form for much of the summer.

Zimmermann avoided surgery last year, but he had to change his pitching style, eventually developing a sinker that became his primary pitch over his four-seam fastball. He continued that transition in Spring Training and during Summer Camp, but the soreness left him struggling to pitch.

“He played catch a couple times and said he feels fine, and then it starts getting a little sore,” Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Zimmermann will try to avoid surgery again and rehab the injury, according to Gardenhire. Major League Baseball shortened the long-term injured list from 60 to 45 days for this year’s 60-game season.

“He’s going to rehab. That’s what everybody has decided is the best way to go here,” Gardenhire said. “He’s got plenty of time here, and hopefully by the end of this thing, we’ll see where he’s at.”

Gardenhire did not rule out the possibility of Zimmermann pitching for the Tigers near the end of the season.

“I think in his mind, he needs to do that to see if he wants to continue,” Gardenhire said. “And we’ll definitely let him do that.”

Zimmermann is entering the final season of the five-year, $110 million contract he signed after the 2015 season. He won the American League Pitcher of the Month Award in his first month as a Tiger in April '16, but his career has largely been a struggle ever since, in no small part due to injuries.

Zimmermann has dealt with neck and back issues for nearly all of his time in Detroit, and he was receiving nerve block injections once or twice a season. He seemed to be past that last year when the forearm strain sidelined him.

Both Zimmermann and the Tigers have acknowledged this is likely his final year with the team as Detroit prepares for its crop of top-rated pitching prospects to arrive. The top-ranked prospect, Casey Mize, has had a strong Summer Camp that pushed him into conversations for joining the rotation sooner rather than later this season.

So far, the Tigers have resisted talk of carrying Mize on the Opening Day roster. Their rotation depth issues, however, could force the conversation.

Gardenhire referred that question to general manager Al Avila.

“My job is to take the guys I have and go from there,” Gardenhire said. “We’ve got a good bunch of pitching, younger arms that we’re going to take care of. And when the bosses upstairs decide it’s time, then I think we’ll all get to know at the same time.”

Zimmermann becomes the second Tigers starter out of action. Daniel Norris has yet to be cleared to join Summer Camp after testing positive for COVID-19. He’s currently on the 10-day IL. The Tigers are hoping to get him cleared before Opening Day, but Gardenhire said they won’t know his status until he gets clearance and they can see him throw.

“That’s the question and that’s the problem: Where is he at as far as his arm and his body? I think we all know that he’s working out,” Gardenhire said of Norris. “Through anything, he’s going to be working out. But there’s a difference between working out and getting out on the mound and using your legs and your arm. When we finally get him in here, we’ll know a lot more on how we’re going to go with him.”

The Tigers expect to have Michael Fulmer back after his successful rehab from Tommy John surgery, but they remain careful stretching him out 22 months since his last competitive start. He threw three innings of live batting practice Saturday morning at Comerica Park.

Gardenhire left the possibility that the Tigers could use an opener setup for a turn to begin the season.

“We’ve definitely thought about that,” Gardenhire said.