The Detroit Tigers called up prized outfield prospect Max Clark from the minor leagues as they began their final series before the trade deadline on Friday, July 31, 2026, against the Athletics in West Sacramento, California, according to ESPN. The 21-year-old Clark was placed in the starting lineup batting seventh and playing center field for Friday night’s game.
Detroit Tigers Call Up Outfield Prospect Max Clark
Manager A.J. Hinch addressed the promotion by stating, according to ESPN, He was killing it in Triple-A. Had one of the most impressive Julys in Toledo.
Hinch added, We’ve been watching his development all season, step by step. He’s really earned it.
Clark was selected third overall out of high school in the 2023 amateur draft, as reported by ironmountaindailynews.com. Following an ordinary start to the season at Triple-A Toledo—where he held a .731 OPS through June 30 according to MLB.com—Clark shifted his mindset in July. He carried a .338/.466/.620 line over 19 July games to the majors, bringing his season totals with Toledo to a .276 batting average, 11 home runs, 42 RBIs, and an .802 OPS, according to ironmountaindailynews.com (while ESPN noted figures of .285, nine home runs, 37 RBIs, and an 0.806 OPS).
The plan is for Clark to serve as Detroit’s everyday center fielder and a building block for the future, according to ESPN. His promotion brings the Tigers’ top two picks from the 2023 draft together in the major leagues, joining shortstop Kevin McGonigle, who was picked 37th overall in that draft, according to ESPN.
Casey Mize Scratched From Start Ahead of Trade Deadline
Alongside Clark’s promotion, the Tigers scratched starting pitcher Casey Mize from his scheduled Friday night start against the Athletics, according to Yahoo Sports. According to Yahoo Sports, the front office instructed Hinch to take Mize out of the rotation as a cautionary move ahead of the Monday trade deadline, a step similar to the club’s handling of Jack Flaherty in 2024.
Mize holds a 4-6 record with a 2.70 ERA and a 3.0 WAR across 16 starts this season, and he is eligible to become a free agent following the World Series, as detailed by ironmountaindailynews.com and Yahoo Sports. Although Mize has dealt with a groin injury this year, he stated that he is healthy, according to ironmountaindailynews.com.
Commenting on the front office’s decision, Mize said, according to ironmountaindailynews.com: It’s a weird place to be. I feel like I’m in limbo a little bit. 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.
If Mize is not traded before the deadline, he is lined up to pitch the opener against the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, August 4, according to theeagleswire.usatoday.com. Potential options to start or pitch bulk roles include pitchers Ty Madden and Tyler Holton, with Framber Valdez and Keider Montero scheduled to make their starts in games two and three of the series, as reported by Yahoo Sports and Worth a look
