LAKELAND, Fla. – The Detroit Tigers do not expect right-hander Troy Melton to be on the 2026 Opening Day roster.
It’s not because of performance.
It’s because of injury.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined from pitching for one to two weeks with inflammation in his right elbow, meaning he is not expected to play in Opening Day on March 26 against the San Diego Padres.
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“It’s unlikely he’ll be ready to start the season, but we’ll know more when we get him back in shape and what that means,” manager AJ Hinch said Friday, Feb. 27, before a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Troy Melton (right) talks with assistant pitching coach Robin Lund after practice during Tigertown spring training on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida.
Melton went to the doctor with general soreness in his arm.
He was diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow.
“The doctors recommended not throwing for one to two weeks,” Hinch said, “although he could still do other things — lift weights, run, [pitcher fielding practice]. When things calm down, we limit our throwing. “
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Melton completed a bullpen session on February 12 and then had live batting practice on February 15, followed by another bullpen session on February 17 and another live batting session on February 20, but he has not pitched since.
“His throwing plans are definitely going to be very cautious this time of year,” Hinch said.
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In 2025, Melton posted a 2.76 ERA with 15 walks and 36 strikeouts in 45⅔ innings in 16 games (four starts). He also had a 3.23 ERA in 39 innings in 10 starts for Double-A Erie and a 2.72 ERA in 36⅓ innings in eight games (six starts) at Triple-A Toledo.
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He makes his MLB debut in July 2025.
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
This article originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press: Troy Melton injury update: Tigers starter unlikely to play Opening Day
