Overview
- Troy Melton avoided a trip to the injured list and is scheduled to start for the Tigers after missing a turn with back tightness, and he has a 3-0 record and 2.81 ERA following a late-May debut delayed by right elbow inflammation.
- Detroit is coping with significant absences among pitchers and position players, including Justin Verlander sidelined with a left hamstring strain and Jack Flaherty on the injured list with a left ankle injury.
- Outfielder Wenceel Perez suffered a fractured left orbital bone after being struck in the face by a resistance band and manager A.J. Hinch said Perez is safe and that swelling has begun to go down.
- The Tigers promoted 27-year-old Trei Cruz from Triple-A Toledo and he made his major-league debut, and the White Sox countered earlier this week by calling up Junior Perez, who recorded his first two MLB hits including a homer.
- Chicago plans a bullpen game with Sean Newcomb as the opener in Saturday's matchup, his first start after 28 relief outings and a recent left triceps contusion, underscoring both teams' reliance on depth and careful pitcher management.