Detroit Tigers elevate Keider Montero for doubleheader, but Game 2 pitching plan undetermined
The Detroit Tigers could potentially bring back a tried-and-true strategy from the 2024 playoff run for April 26's doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Tigers are starting Casey Mize, the originally scheduled starter April 25, in the first game of the doubleheader and will decide on who will start the second game based on how the first game plays out.
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The Tigers called up starting pitcher Keider Montero as the team's 27th player for the split doubleheader after April 25's postponement, but manager A.J. Hinch did not guarantee he would start, also mentioning a potential return of the "pitching chaos" from late last season using the bullpen to open the game.
"Keider Montero will be our 27th man," Hinch said. "It does not mean he is going to start the game. We are going to see how the first game goes to decide whether he is starting or we're going to open out of the bullpen."
Because of the split doubleheader, the Tigers will have time between games to make a final decision on how to deploy the pitching. Rookie Jackson Jobe was originally slated to start April 26 before the postponement, but had his next start delayed. The Tigers will start ace Tarik Skubal on April 27 for the final game of the series as planned.
"Game one will dictate the strategy for game two," Hinch said. "We have the split, so it allows us a lot more time to process game one."
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the second inning at Comerica Park on Monday, April 21, 2025 in Detroit.
Mize is coming off extra rest in the rotation thanks to an extra start from Montero at the beginning of the week, the scheduled off day April 24 and the rainout April 25. In his last start, Mize threw seven innings for the first time since 2021 while holding the Kansas City Royals to one run.
Kerry Carpenter 'progressing nicely' with hamstring
Carpenter, who left a game April 20 with right hamstring soreness, said he does not feel the injury lingering any longer and expects to return to the field soon. Carpenter played in one of the three games against the San Diego Padres as a designated hitter, where he starting again in the first game of April 26's doubleheader.
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Carpenter said the injury was not close to the same severity as the left hamstring injury he sustained in the 2024 ALDS and believed he could have stayed in the game if necessary.
"I don't really feel it anymore and so I'm not sure what the plan is this weekend, but hopefully getting in the outfield again next week," Carpenter said. "It's progressing nicely."
He will be back in the leadoff position in the batting order, which has become a new development this season as a way to maximize the at-bats from the left-handed slugger. It came as a surprise initially to Carpenter, who is set on making the most of his new spot in the lineup.
"I never thought so, but I'm down to do whatever they tell me to do," Carpenter said. "I'm glad to hopefully be a table-setter for a couple of games."
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Jared Ramsey covers sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com; Follow Jared on X or Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers elevate Keider Montero for doubleheader, pitching plan undetermined
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