Tigers pitching coach Rick Anderson said he expects Boyd and the other four members of the Detroit rotation to be stretched out to 75-to-80 pitches by Opening Day, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

That sort of pitch count would put Boyd in line for roughly five innings in his first start, keeping him on track to handle close to a normal workload in his subsequent turns thereafter. Boyd will continue to use summer camp to build up his pitch count, though he had already kept his arm conditioned during MLB's hiatus by tossing about one simulated game per week. Before the league-wide shutdown in spring training, Boyd had been working to make more use of his changeup and curveball as part of a four-pitch mix this season after leaning on the offerings only 6.1 and 4.0 percent of the time, respectively, in 2019 (per FanGraphs).

Boyd said he's thrown one simulated game per week during the layoff to stay ready for game action, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boyd added that he recently got up to five innings of work. The lefty can now set his sights toward Opening Day, which is slated for about a month from now following a second spring training in early July. Detroit and other MLB teams are likely to be cautious with their starters to begin the abbreviated season, so Boyd may not go past five innings on the mound anytime soon.

Boyd said he plans on getting stronger in the weight room while spring training is suspended and his throwing program is interrupted, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boyd has remained at the Tigers' facility in Lakeland, Fla., and tried to look on the bright side of the delay, calling it an "awesome opportunity for us to get even stronger." The lefty struggled a bit down the stretch last season after a strong start, so perhaps the emphasis on strength training could help with his endurance whenever the 2020 campaign resumes.

Boyd, who allowed just one run across 4.1 innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, has a 1.93 ERA this spring.

EDGE Analysis

Boyd has looked like the staff leader the Tigers need him to be. He did at times last year, too, as the lefty had a 2.85 ERA through the first two months of the season. However, Boyd struggled some after that and ultimately finished with a 4.56 ERA. The 29-year-old has elite strikeout potential, but he's yet to have a true breakout campaign.

Boyd took the loss in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, allowing a solo home run and a walk across two innings of work. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

The outing was a microcosm of Boyd's 2019 campaign, as he gave up plenty of home runs (39, second most in the league) but also racked up the strikeouts (238 in 185.1 innings pitched). The southpaw continues to show glimpses of brilliance, but he's yet to sustain it across a full season. He'll line up as Detroit's unquestioned ace heading into 2020 and will look to improve his consistency on the mound.

Boyd and the Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.3 million deal Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boyd will more than double his $2.6 million salary from the 2019 season. The lefty saw his strikeout rate jump from 22.4 percent to 30.2 percent in his fifth big-league season, though his ERA rose slightly from 4.39 to 4.56.

Boyd (9-12) took the loss Saturday against the White Sox as he allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits across four innings. He walked one and struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Boyd wrapped up his 2019 campaign with a mediocre outing, and that's been the story for the lefty in the second half of the season. Before the All-Star break, he had a 3.87 ERA over 18 starts, but in the 14 games since, Boyd posted a 5.51 mark. The 28-year-old was still easily Detroit's best starter this year, and his 238:50 K:BB in 185.1 innings shows how dominant he can be at times. Boyd will search for more consistency heading into 2020.

Boyd (9-11) gave up three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six through five innings to earn the win over the White Sox on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Boyd allowed two runs in the first inning, but he delivered three scoreless frames before surrendering another run in his last inning. The long ball continues to be a problem for Boyd, as he has allowed a league-leading 39 home runs. The 28-year-old has a 4.57 ERA with 234 strikeouts through 32 starts this season. Boyd is scheduled to make his next start in the first game of a doubleheader against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Boyd (personal) has rejoined the team and will start Sunday against the White Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

He attended the funeral of his paternal grandfather earlier this week but rejoined the team Thursday. Boyd has a 5.34 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 30.1 innings over his last five starts.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Boyd (personal) is penciled in to start Sunday's game against the White Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boyd left the team Monday to tend to a family issue in Seattle, forcing Detroit to break in reliever Zac Reininger as a spot starter for Tuesday's bullpen game against Cleveland. Though he remains away from the team, the southpaw apparently intends to return to Detroit at some point over the weekend, leaving him on track to make his next turn through the rotation. After a banner first half, Boyd has stumbled as the season nears the finish line, posting a 6.81 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over his last seven starts.