Troy Melton to Miss Spring Training Due to Arm Soreness

Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton will not participate in the 2026 spring training games due to general arm soreness. Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed the decision on February 25, stating, “We’re playing it pretty conservative. We’re not going to have him pitch through any kind of soreness.”

Melton, 25, registered a 2.76 ERA in the 2025 season, accumulating 15 walks and 36 strikeouts across 45⅔ innings in 16 games, including four starts. His performance during the playoffs marked him as a significant asset for the team. In addition, Melton maintained a 3.23 ERA over 39 innings in 10 starts for Double-A Erie and a 2.72 ERA over 36⅓ innings in eight games for Triple-A Toledo.

Hinch emphasized the importance of Melton’s health, stating, “We’ll get him checked out. We’re doing everything we can. We’ll have an update in the next medical report now that he’s not on the list to pitch right now. I’ll have a better update when I know more.”

The Tigers selected Melton in the fourth round of the 2022 draft from San Diego State. His absence from spring training raises questions about his readiness for the upcoming season, but the team is prioritizing his recovery.

As the situation develops, updates will be provided regarding Melton’s condition and potential return. For further information, contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Additionally, fans can tune into the weekly Tigers show, “Days of Roar,” every Monday afternoon during the season on platforms like Apple and Spotify.