Detroit Tigers reliever Kyle Funkhouser likely to miss start of MLB season

TAMPA, Fla. — Right-handed reliever Kyle Funkhouser isn't expected to be available to pitch when the Detroit Tigers open the regular season April 8.

The 28-year-old, a high-leverage member of the bullpen, has been shut down in spring training with right latissimus dorsi soreness. He began experiencing the soreness in his back approximately one week before MLB's lockout ended March 10.

"He hasn't done anything," Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Sunday. "That's pretty concerning with the short spring. I don't anticipate him being ready for the season. He's just not throwing."

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Funkhouser attempted to complete a "soft throwing program" at the beginning of spring training, but said the discomfort lingered, so the Tigers instructed him to stop pitching until his body recovers.

Funkhouser last season posted a 3.42 ERA with 38 walks and 63 strikeouts over 68⅓ innings in 57 games (two starts). He joined the Tigers in early May, and not long after, worked himself into a key role.

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Returning for the start of the regular season appears all but impossible.

"I think he's going to be shut down for a few weeks, and then we'll fire him back up," Hinch said. "Lats are tricky. Some of them take a short period of time. Some of them can last longer than anticipated. The good news is, like long term, it's going to heal. Just we're out of time when it comes to having him run through a full spring training."

The Tigers are preparing for the season with six of eight bullpen spots locked in: Funkhouser, Gregory Soto (closer), Andrew Chafin, Michael Fulmer, Jose Cisnero and Tyler Alexander. Alex Lange and Joe Jimenez should join them, as long as they don't crumble this spring.

Without Funkhouser, though, one spot opens up.

"We'll see if MLB gives us an extra pitcher or two, maybe more than those," Hinch said. "I see a couple competition spots that are open. ... Players that got experience last year are all viable candidates. I'm sure that I see any pitcher that doesn't have major-league experience as being a big candidate."

Wily Peralta's arrival to spring training has been delayed because of the work visa process, but once he is allowed to travel from the Dominican Republic to the United States, the 32-year-old will be a top candidate to join the bullpen.

The Tigers signed Peralta to a minor-league contract last week. He posted a 3.07 ERA for the Tigers last season, logging 38 walks and 58 strikeouts over 93⅔ innings in 19 games (18 starts).

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.