After a rough stretch that saw the Detroit Tigers drop eight of their last ten games, there's finally some good news on the injury front. Despite the recent struggles, the Tigers remain just 4.5 games behind the division-leading Cleveland Guardians—and they'll get a chance to close that gap when they host Cleveland at Comerica Park early next week. But first, they're getting some much-needed reinforcements.

Casey Mize is on track to start Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and that's a huge boost for a team that's been patching together its rotation. Mize landed on the injured list with a groin strain after chasing a ball off the mound during his last start on April 28. Before that, the 29-year-old right-hander was pitching the best baseball of his career. His splitter has looked sharper than ever, and he's striking out 27.3 percent of batters—five percent higher than his previous career best. With a 2.90 ERA and a 2.85 FIP, Mize ranks among the top starters in baseball among those with at least 30 innings. While starting pitching hasn't been Detroit's biggest issue lately, having Mize back solidifies a rotation that's been held together by relievers stepping into spot starts.

Meanwhile, manager AJ Hinch announced Friday that Connor Seabold is returning from the injured list, and right-hander Ricky Vanasco has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Seabold hasn't been dominant, but he's been more reliable than some of the depth options the Tigers have leaned on. Even better news: Will Vest and Beau Brieske are both scheduled to rehab with the Mud Hens in Toledo this weekend. Vest avoided any significant injury, while Brieske—who has yet to pitch this season—has looked sharp in his rehab outings.

The bullpen remains the Tigers' biggest concern, especially with Brant Hurter covering a rotation spot. But with Mize back on the mound and reinforcements on the way, Detroit is finally starting to look like the team that had fans dreaming of a playoff push. For Tigers fans, Saturday can't come soon enough.