Injury-plagued Tigers hope Troy Melton continues success vs. White Sox

Troy Melton missed his most recent turn in the Detroit rotation due to back tightness. The right-hander avoided a trip to the injured list, however, and is scheduled to start for the Tigers against the visiting Chicago White Sox on Saturday.

The Tigers won the opener of the three-game series 4-3 on Friday.

Melton (3-0, 2.81 ERA) had his season debut delayed until late May due to right elbow inflammation. He has wasted no time giving the Tigers' rotation a boost, winning three of his first four starts.

The only time Melton didn't notch a victory came against the White Sox on May 29, but it was a quality performance. He limited Chicago to one run and six hits in seven innings, but the Tigers lost 4-3 in 10 innings.

Melton is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in three career outings (two starts) against the White Sox.

Keeping Melton healthy is crucial for the Tigers, who continue to deal with a host of injuries.

Justin Verlander, who has pitched just once this season due to a left hip ailment, was slated to return on Sunday. Instead, he will be out several more weeks due to a left hamstring strain.

Starter Jack Flaherty is on the injured list due to a left ankle injury.

Key position players Gleyber Torres, Wenceel Perez, Javier Baez and Parker Meadows are also sidelined. Perez fractured his left orbital bone in Houston this week when he was hit in the face by a resistance band.

"We will know more when we get through the eye doctor and face doctor and see where he's at in terms of activity level. But he's safe and he's in a good place," manager A.J. Hinch said. "The swelling has started to go down."

The Tigers called up 27-year-old outfielder Trei Cruz from Triple-A Toledo to take his place. Cruz's grandfather, Jose Cruz, and father, Jose Cruz Jr., both played in the majors. Trei Cruz went hitless in three at-bats on Friday in his major league debut.

"He's had to work hard to get here," Hinch said. "It just shows, not everyone's journey to the big leagues is a smooth ride. I love that he's been tough enough to handle it."

No matter who is wearing the White Sox uniform this season is seemingly producing. Chicago called up Junior Perez from Triple-A Charlotte this week to fill in for Everson Pereira, who sustained a concussion while hitting the outfield wall as he made a catch against the New York Yankees on Wednesday.

Perez delivered the first two hits of his career on Friday, including a solo homer.

"He is an above-average runner, defender on the corners and projects about average in center field," White Sox manager Will Venable said. "Stolen bases are part of his game. He has plus power and makes plus decisions at the plate. He is very similar to Pereira."

Perez played 36 games for Triple-A Las Vegas in the Athletics' system this season before the White Sox acquired him in a trade last month.

Sean Newcomb was a late choice to be the opener for the Saturday contest as Venable will employ a bullpen game. It will be his first start this year after 28 relief outings.

The 33-year-old left-hander exited his most recent appearance on Wednesday against the Yankees due to a left triceps contusion after getting hit by Anthony Volpe's line drive. He allowed three runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Newcomb has a 1.74 ERA and no decisions in five career appearances (all in relief) vs. the Tigers. He did not give up a hit in 2 2/3 scoreless innings against Detroit on May 29.

--Field Level Media