Tigers call up outfield prospect Max Clark and scratch starter Casey Mize as trade deadline nears

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The Detroit Tigers called up prized outfield prospect Max Clark from the minor leagues and scratched Casey Mize from his scheduled start as they began their final series before the trade deadline Friday.

The 21-year-old Clark batted seventh and played center field against the Athletics. He went 3 for 4 with a walk, two runs and an RBI in a 13-1 victory.

“He was very prepared,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Our belief in him is obviously very strong and he showed tonight why. It’s fun to see him develop and grow up and learn, and our (player development) group did a really good job getting him ready for this spot and he delivered. It was fun to watch him dominate the night.”

Clark was picked third overall in the 2023 amateur draft out of high school in Indiana. After a rough stretch early in the season at Triple-A, Clark has found his batting stroke of late and was hitting .276 with 11 homers, 42 RBIs and an .802 OPS for Toledo.

That led to the call to bring him to the big leagues and Clark delivered in front of a crowd that included about a dozen family members who made the trip.

“It was an unbelievable debut,” he said. “I felt so supported by this group, and that just speaks to the guys.”

Clark got off to a good start, drawing a walk in his first plate appearance and then hitting a soft single to left field his next time up for his first career hit. He then came up in a big spot in the eighth with runners on first and third in a 2-1 game. He drove a pitch to the opposite field for a double to make it 3-1, and the Tigers rolled from there.

“That’s the exact scenario you dream of as a little kid — coming up runners in scoring position, wanting to do something in a close game,” he said. “Just being able to execute and help the team win is huge.”

The promotion of Clark to the majors means the Tigers have their top two picks from the 2023 draft in the big leagues. Impressive shortstop Kevin McGonigle, picked 37th overall in that draft, is the favorite to win AL Rookie of the Year. He is batting .285 with nine homers, 37 RBIs and an .806 OPS this season and was selected for the All-Star Game on July 14.

McGonigle had four hits, including two doubles, in his debut on opening day and Clark got three hits, including two doubles, on Friday night. The only other player in Tigers history with at least three hits — and two for extra bases — in his big league debut was Billy Bean in 1987.

While the plan is for Clark to be the everyday center fielder for Detroit and a building block for the future, Mize's status is uncertain. The front office told Hinch to push back Mize's next start until next Tuesday in Seattle, a day after the trade deadline, in case a deal can be reached before then.

The Tigers opted for a bullpen game and held the A's to three hits.

Mize is 4-6 with a 2.70 ERA in 16 starts this season and is eligible to become a free agent following the World Series. He has been dealing with a groin injury this year but said he is healthy.

“It's a weird place to be. I feel like I’m in limbo a little bit,” Mize said. “I'm still obviously fully committed to this organization and this team. But for the ball to literally be taken out of my hands is a weird place to be. We’ll see what the weekend holds and if nothing happens, I’ll pitch on Tuesday and we’ll go from there. But it’s certainly a strange position to be in.”

Mize isn't the only Tigers pitcher in limbo as the deadline approaches, with the team starting the day with a 51-58 record and 4 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.

Back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal also could be traded before he is eligible to become a free agent this offseason. Skubal has a $32 million salary, a record total in arbitration, after the team offered $19 million, and is expected to sign a massive contract in the offseason.

The 29-year-old lefty said in July that it was his preference to finish the season with the Tigers to compete for a World Series championship, which has eluded the franchise since 1984.

Skubal is 7-5 this season with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 96 2/3 innings.

To make room on the active roster for Clark, the Tigers placed outfielder Matt Vierling on the 10-day injured list with a left adductor strain that will keep him sidelined longer than that. The team also designated right-hander Andre Granillo for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster.

Detroit also recalled left-hander Enmanuel DeJesus from Toledo and optioned righty Brenan Hanifee to Triple-A.

Hinch also said right-hander Will Vest underwent surgery this week for the stress fracture in his elbow. Vest also will have surgery on his injured hip and miss the rest of the season.

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