Troy Melton has returned from right elbow inflammation and was activated May 24 to start Game 2 of a doubleheader at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. His return required a roster reshuffle that included designating reliever Connor Seabold for assignment, and it se
When Troy Melton walked into the Tigers’ plans again, it wasn’t a ceremonial welcome—it was a decision made for a specific game, on a specific date, with the rotation still missing answers.
Melton, a right-hander, returned from right elbow inflammation and was activated from the 60-day injured list. The Tigers made him a starter on Sunday. May 24. in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Detroit lost Game 1, 5-3, on a walk-off home run surrendered by right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen.
After the Game 1 defeat, manager A.J. Hinch captured the emotional swing of it all. “We got to find a way to win that game,” he said. “It went from a hard-fought win to a hard-fought loss quickly in the last couple of innings. We got to get back at it in a few hours. but I don’t have a lot of words for this one.”.
For Melton, the moment carries extra weight because it will be his first appearance with the Tigers in the 2026 season.
To make room for his return, the Tigers had to create space on both the 26-man and 40-man rosters. The move that handled both needs was straightforward but heavy: the Tigers designated for assignment right-handed reliever Connor Seabold. Seabold had been signed to a one-year, $800,000 contract in the days leading up to 2026 Opening Day.
Seabold, 30, posted a 3.45 ERA with five walks and 14 strikeouts across 15⅔ innings in 11 games for Detroit. If he clears waivers, he can choose to stay with the Tigers in Triple-A Toledo.
Before coming back to the majors, Melton completed four starts on a rehab assignment—but only one of those starts came at the Triple-A level. The injury began late in February during spring training, when he suffered the elbow injury.
His path to the rotation has been built on what he did when he was healthy. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut in July 2025 and then produced a 2.76 ERA with 15 walks and 36 strikeouts across 45⅔ innings in 16 games. including four starts. In the postseason, he contributed important innings, even though he allowed five runs in 8⅓ innings.
With Melton back, the Tigers have returned to a five-man rotation that now includes left-hander Framber Valdez, right-hander Casey Mize, right-hander Jack Flaherty, and right-hander Keider Montero, alongside Melton.
But the return doesn’t remove the pressure—it moves it down the road. Left-hander Tarik Skubal (left elbow arthroscopy) and right-hander Justin Verlander (left hip inflammation) could return to the Tigers’ rotation soon. Both are scheduled to complete a live batting practice session within the next few days at Comerica Park.
Once both starters are healthy, Detroit will have to make tough roster decisions about Melton and Montero. For now, though, the immediate question is simpler: Melton is in the rotation, and his season is finally back on track.
Troy Melton Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal Justin Verlander Connor Seabold Kenley Jansen Oriole Park at Camden Yards 60-day injured list MLB rotation left elbow arthroscopy left hip inflammation
Wait so they just kicked Seabold out for Melton? Seems kinda cold.
Elbow inflammation is such a dumb thing to gamble on, like just rest him longer. Also why is Kenley Jansen even still there if he’s giving up walk-off HRs…
I don’t get the roster stuff. Like they said “40-man” and “26-man” and my brain just blue screened lol. So Seabold is gone but then Melton starts game 2 of a doubleheader, cool? Detroit lost game 1 5-3 on a walk off, so yeah I guess Hinch was mad.
All this just to say “we have to find a way to win” like that fixes anything. I swear teams always do the same thing: one guy is injured, they shuffle the lineup, and then act surprised it still doesn’t work. If Melton’s first appearance in 2026 is in Game 2, that seems way too specific… like they’re forcing it.