The Detroit Tigers return from the All-Star break with MLB's best record, at 59-38. But A.J. Hinch says this team hasn't accomplished anything yet.
ARLINGTON, TX — Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch paid attention to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, only to make sure all six of his players stayed healthy. When Hinch wasn't checking the box score, he was spending time with his family.
The six players –Javier Báez, Riley Greene, Casey Mize, Gleyber Torres, Tarik Skubal and Zach McKinstry – on the American League team were busy.
It was a four-day reset for everyone else.
"The break was good," Hinch said Friday, July 18, before the opener of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers. "Obviously, it goes quick, but it was kind of nice to get away and enjoy some time with my family."
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The Tigers returned from the All-Star break with MLB's best record, at 59-38.
Entering Friday, the Tigers were one game ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers in for the overall lead, 2½ games ahead of the Houston Astros in the AL and 11½ games ahead of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central. The Tigers have a 96.6% chance to win the AL Central, according to FanGraphs. The division title has been their goal since the offseason.
"We haven't accomplished anything yet, other than our record in the first 97 games," Hinch said. "My job is to keep these guys humble and hungry, and I'm going to do it."
The three games leading up to the All-Star break contributed to the worst stretch for the Tigers in 2025, as the losing streak reached four for the first time this season after getting swept by the Seattle Mariners in three lopsided matchups.
"I think we're the last team to lose four games in a row," Hinch said. "It happens to everybody."
In the sweep, the Tigers bullpen surrendered 23 runs over 14 innings.
That was a microcosm of a problem over the past two months: The Tigers' bullpen ranks 26th in MLB with a 5.02 ERA since May 16. Since June 14, the Tigers have a 13-13 record.
"We're going to choose to still believe in this team and that we're good in this bullpen," Hinch said.
The final 65 games of the regular season began Friday against the Rangers.
The regular season ends Sept. 28.
"These guys are ready to play the whole schedule," Hinch said. "I've said that when we've been counted out and down. I've said that when we've been the hottest team in baseball. I just try to stay consistent with our preparation in trying to win series."
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Kerry Carpenter injury update
Outfielder Kerry Carpenter (right hamstring strain) isn't with the Tigers in Texas, but he completed running drills at 90% of his maximum effort Friday at Comerica Park. The 27-year-old isn't expected to start a rehab assignment in the next two days.
The good news: Carpenter seems likely to be ready for a rehab assignment at some point next week, possibly as soon as Tuesday, July 22.
"He needs to get on the bases," Hinch said. "We need to hit him some live fungos. He needs to do some things before we can really get him on a field in the game."
Before heading to the injured list, Carpenter hit .257 with 16 home runs, seven walks and 60 strikeouts in 78 games.
He hasn't played for the Tigers since June 29.
"He's getting closer and closer because the baseball stuff is picking up," Hinch said, "and he's responding well to all the running. Hopefully, we can see that sustain itself when he starts getting into more baseball stuff."
Alex Cobb gets more injections
Right-hander Alex Cobb (left hip inflammation) received a series of injections to treat the remaining inflammation in his left hip. The 37-year-old has received seemingly too many injections to count since signing a one-year, $15 million contract with the Tigers.
He has been sidelined by injuries to both hips since early February.
"This is just another attempt at trying to calm down the pain that he has in both hips," Hinch said. "This particular hip was probably a result of longer-term issues, trying to deal with his other hip."
Hinch expects to see Cobb in a competitive game soon.
"He's doing everything he can to get on the field competitively," Hinch said. "He's gone through a lot at this point in the season that most people would not be able to handle."
Cobb has already struggled through two rehab starts for High-A West Michigan and one rehab start for Triple-A Toledo, but he hasn't pitched for the Tigers in 2025.
Alex Lange resumes rehab assignment
Right-handed reliever Alex Lange (right lat repair) paused his rehab assignment because he reported mild lat tightness following his appearance July 6 in Triple-A Toledo.
Thirteen days later, Lange is resuming his rehab assignment Saturday, July 19, at the Triple-A level.
Lange, 29, completed 4⅔ scoreless innings with one walk and six strikeouts in five games for the Mud Hens before suffering the two-week setback. He also tossed two innings in two games with High-A West Michigan as part of his rehab assignment before advancing to the Triple-A level.
Who starts Saturday's game?
Right-hander Keider Montero is scheduled to start Saturday against the Rangers, which means right-handers Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize will likely start Monday, July 21, and Tuesday, July 22, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Montero has a 4.02 ERA in 13 games (seven starts).
Meanwhile, right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck stiffness) struggled in his second rehab start Friday for Triple-A Toledo, allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks with three strikeouts in three innings, throwing 64 pitches. The 27-year-old tossed 59 pitches across 4⅔ hitless innings in his first rehab start.
If needed, Gipson-Long appears lined up to return to the Tigers on Thursday, July 24, against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers return from All-Star break with MLB best record
Category: Baseball
