When Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch brought Drew Hutchison out of the bullpen, his request was simple, yet seemingly difficult to achieve against the American League East-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
Hutchison needed to eat as many innings as possible.
For the rest of the 2021 season, rookie starters Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal will operate under strict innings limits, keeping them to three innings per start. Making the jump from a 60-game season last year to 162 this time around, the Tigers are protecting their prized 24-year-old arms from injuries.
But Mize — throwing 35 of his 48 pitches in a three-run second inning — only made it through six outs against the Rays.