WEST SACRAMENTO, CA Yeah, Casey Mize was saying on Friday, July 31 itsa weird place to be. Inlimbo. Uncertain for whom he willtake the mound next.Could be for the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday in Seattle. Or it could be for any number of contenders who could use aformer All-Star pitcher having a career season.Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, is set to be a free agent come this winter, meaning there's a chance he could be on the move at the MLB trade deadline, set for 6 p.m. ET Monday. His numbers 85 strikeouts,19 walks, 2.70 ERAover 86 innings in 16 starts would translate well to a team trying to get to the postseason, a description of the Tigers themselves not so long ago.THE NEXT GENERATION: Kevin McGonigle reunited with Max Clark: 'Good to feed off each other'As in, the past week in Detroit, before the Tigers went 3-4 against American League also-rans Kansas City and Baltimore.Itshardly coincidence that the Tigersfell flat during their most recent homestand and suddenly Mize was scratched from his scheduled start here at SutterHealthPark against the Athletics.Soyeah, as Mize said, weird place to be.He knew it was a possibility and when it was confirmed A.J. Hinch told him Thursday at theteam'shotel in California he was disappointed.You know, I love to compete, he said. Selfishly, I feel likeI'mputting my team in a bad spot, even though it wasn't my decision.As for the team?This is obviously not great, he said, a little bit upset thatImnotgonnabe able to compete.Whether he has pitched his last game as a Tiger or not is unknown. But Mize is ready either way.Im not nave, he said. Wellsee what the weekendholds,and if nothing happens,Illpitch on Tuesday andwellgo from there.Hinch can relate.Hesnot nave, either,after going throughseveral volatile trade deadlines. None of those were with this group, not like this.Its always hard this time of year,hesaid. Theresso much day by daythatgoes on, itchanges, the conversations are ongoing....The tough part is how much an emotional roller coaster it is. I mean,wevebeen asked to win this series ina different way.Itsgonnastart with a bullpen game.JEFF SEIDEL: You are gonna love Max Clark, the Tigers' new center fielderInjury updates: Vierling on IL 'not going to be a minimum stay'Matt Vierling is goingon the 10-day IL for aleftgroin issue. Hinch said the outfielder willget a second opinionandmaybe evena third.Itsnot going to be a minimum stay, said Hinch.Vierling left Wednesdays game against Baltimore after hitting a triple.The move made room for Max Clarks call-up, but the club was going to bring Clark up regardless after his scorching July and the adjustments he made at the plate to make it happen.Hehas performed his way to get to the big leagues, Hinch of the rookie, who posted a 1.086 OPS with Toledo in July.Right-hander Brenan Hanifee was optioned back to Toledo to make room for left-hander Enmanuel De Jesus. Hinch said Hanifee was sent down partly becausehedbeenuseda lot recently and partly because the Athletics lineup has so many left-handed batters.Jackon Jobecompleted a bullpen sessionFriday,andBrant Hurter pitchedalive batting practice session. Hinch said Jobe is scheduled to pitch another bullpen sometime this weekend.Outfielder WenceelPrez was slated to begin his rehab assignment with Low-ALakelandon Saturday.Contact Shawn Windsor:swindsor@freepress.com. Follow him@shawnwindsor.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Casey Mize mired in 'weird place' with wait for MLB trade deadline