Lange probably won’t be ready to return when eligible in late May. The former Detroit closer hasn’t pitched since last June.

It’s merely a procedural move since Lange was likely to miss time at the outset of the season recovering from a torn lat that he suffered last June at Triple-A Toledo.

Harris refused to endorse an official timetable, but it sounds like there’s optimism Lange could potentially be ready for the start of next season. The 29-year-old righty, who served as Detroit’s closer for the majority of the 2023 season, suffered a torn lat in mid-June while pitching for Triple-A Toledo, which ended his season. There should be some clarity on his status once spring training kicks off.

Lange was optioned to the minors last month after a bizarre incident on the mound during a relief appearance when he hurled a baseball into the protective netting above Detroit’s dugout in a moment of frustration. His season is most likely over.