CHICAGO – Detroit Tigers left-handed reliever Brant Hurter has been on the 15-day injured list since Saturday, May 23, with lumbar spine inflammation.
Six days later, the Tigers transferred Hurter to the 60-day injured list.
Just like that, Hurter – the best lefty reliever in Detroit’s bullpen – isn’t eligible to return to the Tigers until July 22, roughly one week after the All-Star Game.
“It requires a shutdown – and then a rebuild back up,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Friday’s series opener against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. “We know it’s going to be a couple of months. Losing him for that period of time is tough.”
Hurter recently visited a specialist.
Further medical information about his back injury led to the Tigers shutting him down from throwing.
“If he shuts down for a period of time, you have to almost start over with the throwing,” Hinch said. “It goes back to playing catch. It goes back to mound progression. It just takes time.”
In 2026, Hurter owns a 2.84 ERA with 12 walks and 18 strikeouts across 25⅓ innings in 21 games. The 27-year-old has limited left-handed hitters to a .114 batting average with a .303 OPS in 48 plate appearances.
Hurter suffered the back injury May 22 while pitching in the rain against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
“We’re left to the waiting game and hoping he can return stronger than ever,” Hinch said.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers transfer reliever Brant Hurter to 60-day injured list