Tigers Top Prospect Casey Mize Struggles in Return From Injury

The Detroit Tigers suffered a bit of a scare last month in regards to 2018 No. 1 overall pick Casey Mize. After the top prospect was forced out of action, the team was later relieved to find out his injury wasn't considered serious.

However, on Wednesday, Mize had a rehab assignment of sorts with Class-A Lakeland, where he was prepared to throw 60 pitches. Instead, Mize exited in the first inning with 32, and his command just wasn't up to snuff.

Casey Mize, making what amounts to a rehab start for Class A Lakeland, retired his first two batters, one via strikeout, before allowing a double and back-to-back walks. He was expected to throw 60 pitches but is out after 32, just 17 of them for strikes.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) July 10, 2019

Certainly not ideal circumstances for both Mize and the Tigers. Fortunately, it had nothing to do with his aforementioned injury. Rather, Mize was removed due to the inning running long.

Prior to his injury, Mize was absolutely dominant in the minors, where he posted an 8-0 record and 0.92 ERA. In fact, Mize threw a no-hitter in his Double-A debut back in April, striking out 7 batters in a full nine innings of work.

Casey Mize’s first-inning exit was based on the long inning, according to an organizational policy, I’m told. No health issues, according to source.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) July 10, 2019

With the Tigers having such high expectations for Mize, you have to believe they will take things slowly with their first overall pick. While things didn't work out too well on Wednesday night, it will remain to be seen how he performs in his next rehab start.