The Detroit Tigers optioned right-hander Alex Lange to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday and recalled right-hander Mason Englert from Toledo in a corresponding move. The move to demote Lange to the minors comes a day after he gave up four earned runs in one inning of work in the team's loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The 28-year-old opened the year as Detroit's closer but will now try to figure some things out in the minors after going 0-3 so far in 2024 with a career-worst 4.34 ERA (3.94 FIP), a 1.77 WHIP, two saves, 17 walks and 21 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Lange had a career-high 26 saves for the Tigers last year but has fallen on hard times so far this year, mainly for his inability to control the strike zone. He should be back in Detroit eventually, but he's not guaranteed to win the closer role back from Jason Foley.
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange got destroyed on Sunday, allowing four runs in just IP in a 9-3 loss to the Houston Astros. Lange allowed five hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout. The 28-year-old had been pitching well recently and seemed to be making a case to be re-inserted into the closer discussion, but a lot of that goodwill went away today with this disastrous performance. The Tigers will likely continue to use Jason Foley in the ninth inning, although they don't seem to fully trust him of late. Still, a lack of other options makes Foley the go-to guy for now.
Detroit Tigers reliever Alex Lange walked three batters and struck out one while recording just one out in the team's 7-6 extra-innings win against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Lange came into the game in the seventh inning and loaded the bases on walks, striking out Yoan Moncada in the process. Lange avoided having any earned runs charged to him as Will Vest got Eloy Jimenez to ground into an inning-ending double play. After throwing 23 pitches with control issues evident, it may be unlikely that Lange will pitch again on Sunday. The 28-year-old's next appearance will likely be in the Tigers' next series starting on Monday as they travel to Citi Field to face off against the New York Mets. Jason Foley notched the first save opportunity for the Tigers and appears to be the favorite over Lange to be Detoit's primary closer. Fantasy managers should add Foley in all league formats.
Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Lange has struggled through his first two appearances of the spring after an inconsistent 2023 season, much of which was spent as the Tigers' closer. The 28-year-old has yielded four earned runs on five hits, including two homers, across just two innings of work. He does have five strikeouts against just one walk allowed in that time but he has surrendered a .455 batting average to this point in Grapefruit League action. It's an ominous start to the spring considering Lange was all over the map a season ago, struggling with free passes by way of a 15.6% BB%. He finished the season with a solid 3.68 ERA with 26 saves and a healthy 27.4% K%, and his 50.6% ground-ball rate helped limit home runs. However, with the Tigers looking to compete in the 2024 season and the additions of Andrew Chafin and Shelby Miller to their bullpen, along with internal closing candidates, Lange will be on a short leash despite likely beginning the season as the club's closer.
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange had struggled coming into this game as he blew each of his past two saves chances. However, he was able to get back on track versus the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The right-hander allowed a leadoff double to Shea Langeliers, but the A's didn't do anything with it. Lange threw 1.1 scoreless innings and notched his 25th save of the season. He now holds a 3.84 ERA with a 76/44 K/BB ratio this season. He has become a reliable ninth inning option out of the bullpen for Detroit.
Detroit Tigers closer Alex Lange returned Sunday to earn a save after blowing an opportunity on Saturday. In the ninth frame, Lange entered the contest against the Angels with a two-run lead. He started the inning by getting batter Eduardo Escobar to fly out to left field. The 27-year-old would then retire the next two Angels batters to close the contest. This season, the right-handed reliever has recorded 24 saves on 29 attempts.
Detroit Tigers closer Alex Lange earned his 22nd save of the season as his team defeated the White Sox 3-1 on Saturday. Lange retired four Chicago batters entering the contest in relief of Jason Foley in the eighth inning. The 27-year-old struck out Gavin Sheets and Lenyn Sosa to close the game. In September, Lange has converted on three of four save opportunities. The right-hander has an ERA of 3.63 in 57 innings pitched this season.
On Sunday, Detroit Tigers Alex Lange secured his 21st save in 2023. His team knocked off the White Sox 3-2. Despite a blown save just two days prior, the 27-year-old Lange has continued to be the closer for manager A.J. Hinch. The once-former starter has posted an ERA of 3.79 with 66 strikeouts in 54/2 innings. He's provided solid innings of work in eight of his last nine appearances and should be used as the closer for the remainder of the season.
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange failed to convert on a save opportunity against the Yankees on Thursday. Lange was called upon to preserve a three-run lead in the ninth frame but got off to a rocky start as Oswaldo Cabrera bunted for a single. After he struck out Kyle Higashioka, Lange allowed a base hit to DJ LeMahieu. The 27-year-old soon forced right-handed batter Gleyber Torres to ground into a fielder's choice. With a chance to exit the inning without damage, he gave up a game-tying three-run dinger to Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe, sending the game to extra innings.
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange picked up his 19th save of the season in Tuesday's 8-6 win over the Cubs. Lange entered the game to pitch the ninth inning up by two. He got the first out on a groundout, allowed a single, got the second out on a strikeout, and got the final out on another groundout. While Lange has served as the team's primary closer for most of the season, he has been splitting opportunities with Jason Foley lately. Lange has now converted all but three save opportunities with a 3.62 ERA, an 11.42 K/9 rate, and a 7.07 BB/9 rate. The overall lack of save opportunities and the high walk rate make Lange a viable option only in deeper roto leagues at this time.
