A little over a year since elbow surgery, Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Jackson Jobe is poised to take another encouraging step in the rehabilitation process.
Jobe, who underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right pitching elbow in June 2025, is set to throw a second live bullpen session on Saturday in Florida, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said on Friday, June 26, ahead of Detroit’s second game against the Houston Astros.
Jobe previously threw a live bullpen session in Tampa when he met the major league team during a series against the Rays in the first week of June.
“He’s still got some time ahead, obviously, but that’s encouraging,” Hinch said. “He’s progressed well since we saw him in Tampa. He’ll start facing hitters, which is good.”
Jobe underwent surgery on June 16, 2025 and had an expected recovery timeline of over a year. His progression has reached the point of facing live hitters after standard bullpen sessions.
Jobe threw 49 innings across 10 starts with a 4.22 ERA in his injury-shortened rookie campaign in 2025.
“I hope so,” Hinch said on the possibility of a Jobe return this summer. “He’s got a long road ahead still, but the plan all along and timeline all along was for him to be able to accomplish a lot this year.
“It is always important to stay grounded with where you are at. We’ve watched him throw sort of electrifying bullpens, which makes you wonder and hope and look forward to it. He certainly should have time to factor in.”
In other pitching injury news, right-handed starter Jack Flaherty is set to throw a bullpen in Detroit to assess if he is available to return. Flaherty completed a rehab start with Double-A Erie on Tuesday, June 23, to put him in line for a potential return start in the series finale against Houston on Sunday.
“He’s going to throw a bullpen but I can’t really say much,” Hinch said.
pitcher, move Wenceel Perez to 60-day IL
The Tigers added another pitcher into the equation through the waiver wire on Friday. Detroit claimed 25-year-old Venezuelan right-hander Yilber Díaz off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Díaz has made nine major league appearances across the last three seasons with Arizona.
In 400 career minor league innings dating back to 2021, Díaz is 19-31 with a 5.18 ERA. He has made 74 career starts across the bigs and minors, but has only made relief appearances in 2026. Díaz has thrown 32 innings in 26 relief appearances with a 4.50 ERA.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Tigers moved Wenceel Perez, who is dealing with an orbital fracture, to the 60-day injured list. The Tigers optioned Díaz to Triple-A Toledo.
plays every game of first half
The Tigers (34-47) officially crossed the 81-game halfway point of the season in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to Houston.
Though it has been mostly gloomy as Detroit limps into the second half 14 games below .500, one silver lining of the season has been the health and availability of left fielder Riley Greene.
Greene is one of three American League players to appear in all 81 games of their team’s season so far, along with Baltimore‘s Pete Alonso and Seattle‘s Cole Young.
“The badge of honor with playing every day and posting every day, I think it is super important for players to have that mentality,” Hinch said.
Contact Jared Ramsey at jramsey@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers injury update: Jackson Jobe to take big rehab step
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