Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) started his minor-league rehab assignment with Low-A Lakeland on Thursday and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings his first time out with three hits allowed, no walks and two strikeouts. Gipson-Long was finally cleared to start pitching in real games again after facing live hitters in late April. The 27-year-old is recovering from right UCL reconstruction (Tommy John surgery) last April and also a left-hip labral repair in early July of 2024, so he still has a ways to go before he'll be an option for the Tigers in the big leagues. Gipson-Long made it to the big leagues in 2023 and looked strong, allowing seven runs (six earned) while walking eight and fanning 26 in four starts (20 innings). It's more than anyone expected for a pitcher that wasn't high on prospect lists entering that season. Gipson-Long could rejoin the minors around the All-Star break when he's cleared.

Detroit Tigers right-handers Sawyer Gipson-Long (hip, elbow) and Ty Madden (shoulder) are both scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Wednesday, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. Gipson-Long is recovering from a left-hip labral repair and right-UCL reconstruction, while Madden is on the injured list due to a right-shoulder strain. Gipson-Long is currently on the 60-day injured list and isn't expected to be an option for the Tigers at the major-league level until around the All-Star break. Madden, who is also on the 60-day IL, is recovering after straining his right rotator cuff in spring training but will not be eligible to make his 2025 season debut until late May. The Tigers might build Madden up as a starter as he continues along in his rehab and eventually goes on a minor-league rehab assignment, but there's no guarantee he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's fully healthy.

Detroit Tigers right-handers Sawyer Gipson-Long (hip, elbow) and Ty Madden (shoulder) are both scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Saturday. Gipson-Long is recovering from a left-hip labral repair and right-UCL reconstruction, while Madden is rehabbing from a right-shoulder strain. Meanwhile, right-hander Jose Urquidy (elbow) is playing catch out to 105 feet three times a week as he recovers from right-UCL reconstruction. Gipson-Long is on the 60-day injured list after having Tommy John surgery last April and hip surgery last July. Barring a setback, the 27-year-old won't be an option for the Tigers until around the All-Star break in mid-July. Madden, 25, suffered a right rotator-cuff strain in spring training and won't be able to return until at least the end of May while on the 60-day IL.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow, hip) has been throwing bullpen sessions twice a week and will throw another one on Friday as he recovers from a left hip labral repair and right UCL reconstruction. The 27-year-old had Tommy John last April and then hip surgery in July. He's not expected to make his 2025 debut until around midseason. Meanwhile, right-hander Wilmer Flores (shoulder) received a platelet-rich plasma injection in January for right-shoulder soreness. He's completing his rehab daily and is likely to start the year at Triple-A Toledo. Right-handers Alex Lange (lat), Tyler Mattison (elbow) and Ricky Vanasco (hip) all continue to rehab their respective injuries, with Lange and Mattison set to throw bullpens this Saturday. Vanasco is playing catch six times a week as he rehabs from a right hip labral repair.

According to the Detroit Tigers, starting pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) is playing catch from 120 feet three times a week. Gipson-Long is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in April and also a hip operation he underwent in July and was unable to pitch at all last summer. In 2023, the Mercer product made his major league debut and performed quite well as he posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 20 innings (four starts.) During this small stint, he struck out 26 batters and served up eight walks. Across 34 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Gipson-Long has posted a 5.45 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should continue to monitor his status throughout the first half of the season, as he may find himself back in rotation once he returns to the mound.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) is set to begin a throwing program next week, according to the Tigers' medical report. Gipson-Long underwent Tommy John surgery in April after injuring his arm during a rehab start. The 26-year-old was rehabbing from a groin strain when his arm issue arose, certainly a big setback for a pitcher who would have competed for a starting job in the Tigers' rotation in 2024. Gipson-Long was impressive in his four-game stint in 2023, posting a 2.70 ERA in four starts. With his throwing program starting up in October, he'll have plenty of time to properly rehab and be ready to impress in 2025. Those in dynasty leagues should keep an eye on the right-hander, as his 31.7% strikeout rate can provide a lot of value from a fantasy perspective.

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect Sawyer Gipson-Long (forearm) is getting further evaluation for forearm tightness, which usually doesn't bode well. The 26-year-old is also battling a left-groin strain, so he's not going to return to minor-league action for a while. The Tigers' No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, left a rehab start with Single-A Lakeland when he experienced right-forearm tightness. Gipson-Long made four starts for the Tigers in his major-league debut in 2023 and impressed by going 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with eight walks and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched. With Detroit having more rotation depth this year, there's no way they are going to rush Gipson-Long back to the big leagues if his forearm injury doesn't require surgery.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (groin, forearm), who made a minor-league rehab start for Single-A Lakeland after opening the year on the injured list with a left-groin strain, is now undergoing evaluation for right-forearm tightness, according to the team. It's a concerning development for the club's No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The 26-year-old former sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2019 out of Mercer University made his big-league debut in 2023 and impressed by posting a 2.70 ERA (3.16 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with eight walks and 26 strikeouts in his first 20 innings over four starts. Gipson-Long is worth stashing only in dynasty/keeper leagues right now, but he could be looking at an extended absence, depending on the severity of his forearm injury.

Detroit Tigers right-handed rookie Sawyer Gipson-Long (groin), who has been dealing with a left-groin strain since the start of spring training, was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session in camp on Wednesday in Lakeland, Florida. Gipson-Long's groin injury has prevented him from competing for a starting spot to begin the 2024 regular season, but as long as he doesn't have any further setbacks, he should be ready to go shortly after the minor-league season kicks off. Per MLB Pipeline, the 26-year-old is the team's No. 11 prospect. He had 26 strikeouts in 20 innings over his first four MLB starts in 2023 despite having an ERA over 5.00 at Triple-A Toledo before his call-up. Gipson-Long could use some more minor-league seasoning before becoming an option for Detroit's rotation once again at some point down the road in 2024.