What Happened to Casey Arthur Mize?
Casey Mize is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, who selected him first overall in the 2018 MLB draft. His career has been significantly impacted by injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2022, but he has made a resilient comeback, earning an All-Star selection in 2025. As of May 2026, Mize has recently returned from a right adductor strain and is performing strongly as a key member of the Tigers' starting rotation.
Quick Answer
Casey Mize is a professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, known for being the first overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022 and missing the entire 2023 season, he successfully returned to the mound in 2024 and was named an MLB All-Star in 2025. As of May 28, 2026, Mize recently came off the injured list for a right adductor strain and is pitching effectively for the Tigers, showcasing a strong 2.47 ERA through his first eight starts of the 2026 season.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Drafted First Overall by Detroit Tigers
Casey Mize was selected by the Detroit Tigers as the first overall pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball draft after an impressive collegiate career at Auburn University.
Threw No-Hitter in Double-A
While pitching for the Erie SeaWolves, the Tigers' Double-A affiliate, Mize threw a no-hitter against the Altoona Curve, further solidifying his prospect status.
Made MLB Debut
Mize made his Major League Baseball debut for the Detroit Tigers against the Chicago White Sox, striking out seven batters in 4.1 innings.
Completed First Full MLB Season
Mize completed his first full season in the MLB, making 30 starts and posting a 7–9 record with a 3.71 ERA over 150.1 innings.
Placed on IL with Elbow Sprain
The Tigers placed Mize on the 10-day injured list with a right elbow sprain, an injury that would ultimately lead to a more serious diagnosis.
Underwent Tommy John Surgery
It was announced that Mize would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his 2022 season prematurely and sidelining him for an extended period.
Missed Entire Season Due to Injury
Mize did not pitch in any professional games during the 2023 season as he continued his recovery and rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.
Returned to MLB Rotation
After a long recovery, Mize made the Tigers' Opening Day roster and returned to the MLB rotation for the 2024 season.
Signed One-Year Contract with Tigers
Mize and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a one-year, $2.34 million contract, avoiding arbitration for the upcoming season.
Named to MLB All-Star Game
Mize was added to the 2025 All-Star Game roster as a replacement, marking his first career All-Star selection.
Signed One-Year, $6.15 Million Contract
The Tigers and Mize agreed on a one-year, $6.15 million contract, avoiding arbitration for the 2026 season.
Placed on IL with Adductor Strain
Mize was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Detroit Tigers due to a right adductor strain.
Activated from IL and Returned to Start
Mize was activated from the 15-day injured list and made his return to the Tigers' rotation, pitching well in his first start back.
Strong Performance Highlighted in 2026 Season
Analysis highlighted Mize's strong start to the 2026 season, noting his 2.47 ERA and 8.9 K/9 through his first eight starts, indicating his potential is finally being realized.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Casey Arthur Mize's professional baseball journey began with immense expectations when the Detroit Tigers selected him as the first overall pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft out of Auburn University. After a promising minor league career, including a no-hitter in Double-A in 2019, Mize made his highly anticipated MLB debut for the Tigers on August 19, 2020. He completed his first full MLB season in 2021, making 30 starts and posting a 7–9 record with a 3.71 ERA.
However, Mize's career took a challenging turn in 2022. After just two starts, he was placed on the injured list in April with a right elbow sprain, which ultimately led to Tommy John surgery in June, prematurely ending his season. The extensive recovery process meant Mize missed the entire 2023 season, focusing on rehabilitation. He made his return to the Tigers' rotation for the 2024 season, appearing in 22 games (20 starts) and finishing with a 2–6 record and a 4.49 ERA over 102.1 innings.
The 2025 season marked a significant resurgence for Mize. He agreed to a one-year, $2.34 million contract with the Tigers, avoiding arbitration. Mize not only secured a spot as the team's No. 5 starter but also earned his first career All-Star selection in July, replacing Garrett Crochet. He concluded the 2025 season with a career-best 14–6 record, a 3.87 ERA, and 139 strikeouts in 149 innings pitched, demonstrating his potential as a top-tier pitcher.
Entering 2026, Mize signed another one-year contract with the Tigers for $6.15 million. His strong performance continued into the early part of the season, but he was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 29, 2026, due to a right adductor strain. Fortunately, the injury was mild, and Mize was activated from the injured list on May 16, 2026, making his return to the mound without needing a rehab assignment. As of May 27, 2026, Mize has been a standout performer for the Tigers, boasting a 2.47 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts in 43.2 innings across eight starts, indicating that his selection is finally paying significant dividends for the organization.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Casey Arthur Mize made different choices?