Tigers pitcher Casey Mize scratched from start as Tarik Skubal trade intrigue grows

A domino has seemingly begun to fall in the Tarik Skubal trade saga.MLB teams have wondered this season whether the Tigers, who are 51-58 and 4 1/2 games back of the last AL Wild-Card spot, would be open to dealing their ace.That may be the case after all, as his teammate and fellow pitcher Casey Mize was scratched ahead of his scheduled start Friday against the A’s.Mize is now listed as Tuesday’s starter — after the trade deadline — but Detroit’s latest move has signaled that he may not be there that long.Detroit will now be using a bullpen game Friday, according to Tigers reporter Evan Woodbery.While a move for two-time Cy Young winner Skubal would of course be separate, The Post’s Jon Heyman believes the Mize trade is “the clearest sign yet” that Skubal will likely be moved in a potential fire sale.Heyman also mentioned Gleyber Torres and Kyle Finnegan as possible trade candidates for Detroit.While Skubal is certainly the Tigers’ best trade chip, Mize will also be seen as an attractive option for a team looking for pitching help at a lower cost.The 29-year-old is having a career year, with a 2.70 ERA and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings.The Yankees have been linked to Skubal, while there have also been suggestions that NL contenders like the Brewers, Braves or Phillies could make a move for him.In fact, the two-time defending champion Dodgers — who already have the best record in baseball — could be motivated to trade for him just to keep him from a rival, Heyman reported.It now seems a matter of when, rather than if, Skubal will be traded.And Mize could soon be joining him....