![\"Troy](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/GettyImages-2238619978-e1779385592553.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Detroit Tigers could get Troy Melton back this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Detroit Tigers<\/a> could have right-hander Troy Melton<\/a> in the rotation for a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles<\/a>, reports Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Melton has been on the injured list the entire season with an elbow strain. The club is still considering how he\u2019ll slot into the rotation, per Stavenhagen. Detroit opens a three-game set<\/a> in Baltimore on Friday, May 22.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s fully ready to go,\u201d manager A.J. Hinch said, relayed by Stavenhagen. \u201cWe consider him fully rehabbed.\u201d<\/p>\n Melton has tossed 11.2 innings across four appearances during his minor league rehab assignment. The righty made three starts at Single-A and one outing at Triple-A. Melton got up to five innings on Tuesday, May 19.<\/p>\n Detroit Tigers Injury Update: Troy Melton Could Return Against the Baltimore Orioles<\/p>\n Melton debuted with the Tigers in 2025. He delivered a 2.76 ERA across 16 appearances. The righty worked primarily out of the bullpen, but also made four starts. Melton was typically utilized in a multi-inning role. He racked up 45.2 frames in his 16 outings. The Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> tagged Melton for six earned runs over five innings in his first MLB game. He bounced back with seven scoreless frames against the Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a>, earning his first career win.<\/p>\n With Detroit using its \u201cpitching chaos\u201d approach in the 2025 playoffs<\/a>, Melton contributed in a multi-faceted role. He was hammered for four earned runs in relief against the Cleveland Guardians<\/a> in the second game of the Wild Card round. Melton made a traditional start in Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series vs. the Seattle Mariners<\/a>. He held one of the top offenses in the AL to one run over four innings. Detroit earned the victory in extra innings.<\/p>\n Melton tossed three innings in Game 4 against Seattle. He held the Mariners scoreless and earned the win in relief. The righty came back with just one day of rest to throw a scoreless 10th inning in a wild, extra-inning loss in the final game of the series.<\/p>\n The Tigers selected Melton with the 117th pick of the 2022 draft. He was a consensus top 10 prospect in the organization before his promotion in 2025.<\/p>\n Tigers Finally Getting Healthy on the Mound<\/p>\n Pitching injuries have hampered Detroit for much of the season. The club has been without Melton, Reese Olson<\/a>, and Jackson Jobe all year. Veteran Justin Verlander<\/a> hit the injured list after just one appearance in his return to the club. Casey Mize<\/a> only recently came back from a groin strain. The big absence is two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal<\/a>, who underwent elbow surgery to remove loose bodies from the area.<\/p>\n Melton\u2019s return will give Detroit a viable option in the rotation alongside Mize, Framber Valdez<\/a>, and Jack Flaherty. Versatile right-hander Keider Montero<\/a> has pitched reasonably well after getting pressed into service, but he\u2019s more suited for a swingman role. The same goes for Drew Anderson<\/a>, who was signed this offseason after several seasons in Asia.<\/p>\n