Tigers’ Daniel Norris out 8-12 weeks with groin injury

Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris will be sidelined for 8-12 weeks as he plans to undergo surgery on his left groin, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com.

Norris, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list for now, opted for surgery as a last-ditched effort because he has been dealing with the injury since last summer. It affected Norris as recently as Sunday, when he left his start against the Orioles in the third inning with what was classified as left groin tightness.

”It’s not really what I envisioned going into this year, but I know it’s going to make me right,” Norris said to Beck of having surgery. “I have a lot of peace about it, just because I think that this is the right decision. I know it’s the right decision, and I’ll go through the rehab and get back to being my normal self.”

The 25-year-old Norris spent seven weeks on the DL last year with a left groin strain. He returned to the Tigers once rosters expanded in September and made six appearances, including two starts. Beck said that Norris spent the offseason trying “to find a program that would keep him healthy, but the groin issue became a question again shortly after Spring Training began.”

Norris was able to be cleared to pitch and made the roster after Mike Fiers’ back injury forced him onto the DL. However, Norris has struggled this year, owning an 0-2 record and a 5.87 ERA in five appearances this season. He has allowed 10 runs on 16 hits and nine walks, but has struck out 18 batters over 15 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched.

With Norris on the DL, the Tigers brought up lefty Chad Bell from Triple-A Toledo to join the bullpen.