Detroit Tigers' AJ Hinch: Alex Cora and I don't let scandal 'define our relationship'

For a team with very little good news to report, the Detroit Tigers can breathe a lot easier when it comes to Matthew Boyd’s health.

It appears he’ll only miss one start after leaving his last outing Thursday vs. the Chicago White Sox with a knee injury. He’s penciled in to face Minnesota on Sunday at Comerica Park.

“I don’t think we could have asked for much better, given the circumstances we were under,” manager AJ Hinch said. “At the time he motioned to the dugout I was like, ‘Uh oh, this doesn’t feel good.’”

The injury was diagnosed as tendinitis. Boyd went through an extensive workout Monday in Boston without any issues. He threw off the mound on Tuesday and will throw another bullpen session on Thursday or Friday.

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“He will need to do that for us to feel good about him getting back on the mound competitively. But if you can get a couple of bullpens in, he’ll be freshened up and ready to go on Sunday,” Hinch said.

Boyd (2-3, 2.27 ERA) pitched into at least the seventh inning in four consecutive starts prior to Thursday’s early exit.

Daz Cameron’s wrist injury not ‘significant’

The right wrist fracture that outfielder Daz Cameron suffered at the team’s alternate site recently should not keep him out of action too long. Cameron was placed on Triple-A Toledo’s seven-day injured list on Tuesday.

“He’s going to be in Lakeland for a couple of weeks but he’s not immobile, he’s rehabbing,” Hinch said. “It’s not as significant as it sounds but it is something we need to monitor to make sure he’s at full strength before he goes back into games.”

The prognosis on Franklin Perez’s right shoulder capsule defect is not as promising.

The 23-year-old right-hander was the top prospect acquired from Houston in the Justin Verlander deal but injuries have derailed his development.

“From the information I’ve gotten, he’s out and not to expect him back for a decent amount of time,” Hinch said.

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Managers moving past scandal

Hinch and Boston manager Alex Cora were both suspended by MLB for the duration of last season in the wake of the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. Cora was Hinch’s bench coach in Houston.

They stay in touch regularly, though the scandal is something they prefer not to dwell on.

“(We’re) two of the only people that know exactly what it’s like to be in the situation we’ve been in, having been suspended and out of baseball and watching from the outside,” Hinch said. “We have a history that both of us have articulated that we’re not very proud of in those instances. We’ve largely tried to not have that define our relationship and our communication.”

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Casey Mize excited for first start at Fenway

Prior to this week, Casey Mize had visited Fenway Park one time, when he played for the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League in the summer of 2016.

He’ll pitch at the park for the first time Wednesday.

“It should be a really cool moment for myself,” he said. “A lot of my teammates have been here, done that but for me, it’s a first, so I really can’t wait.”

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' AJ Hinch on friendship with Red Sox manager Alex Cora