Tigers place Jack Flaherty on 15-day IL with left peroneal strain

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty. Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Tigers place Jack Flaherty on 15-day IL with left peroneal strain

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jun 13, 2026 3:37 PM ET

The Detroit Tigers have placed 30-year-old right-handed starting pitcher Jack Flaherty on the 15-day IL with a left peroneal strain.

He exited the game on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians that ended in a 3-2 victory for the Guardians.

After the Tigers got back two of their elite arms in the rotation (Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal), their luck with keeping their starters off the IL has rung short.

Flaherty has struggled this season for the Tigers, posting a 1-8 record and a 5.35 ERA with 78 strikeouts and a 1.57 WHIP. The Tigers have recalled Hao-Yu Lee to take over for Flaherty in the rotation.

The Tigers today activated LHP Tarik Skubal off the 15-day injured list and optioned RHP Ty Madden to Triple-A Toledo. Additionally, RHP Jack Flaherty was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left peroneal strain and INF Hao-Yu Lee was recalled from Triple-A.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) June 13, 2026

Analyzing what led to Jack Flaherty landing on the shelf

In the first inning of the game, the veteran slipped and then fell on the mound in the first inning but remained in the game despite feeling discomfort.

The slip occurred because his left cleat gave out when he was executing a fastball on a 2-2 count to Chase DeLauter. He made the decision to switch to his white cleats prior to the third inning to try and revamp his balance and grip on the mound.

But in the bottom of the third inning, while attempting to field a ball, he slipped again and was forced to leave the game. It was later announced that his initial fall was what led to him exiting the game, while also a precursor to the pain he was experiencing.

After unloading 63 pitches and giving up two runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout, his night came to a close. Jacob Waguespack came on in relief of Flaherty making his debut for the Tigers.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch mentioned how further evaluation will be required to verify how serious the injury is.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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