Detroit Tigers starter Casey Mize did not return to the mound for the fourth inning.
The 24-year-old rookie wasn't injured, and he wasn't chased by the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox. Rather, Mize's start Friday marked the first outing of his innings restrictions — given to many young pitchers league-wide in an effort to protect their arms, considering the workload increase from 60 games in 2020 to a 162-game campaign in 2021.
The Tigers (36-46) lost, 8-2, in the three-game series opener at Comerica Park. Finishing 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position and striking out 13 times overall, Detroit has dropped 18 of its past 20 games to Chicago, dating to last season.