Detroit Tigers News

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Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Tigers, Kevin McGonigle Agree to Eight-Year Contract Extension

The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that they have agreed with infield prospect Kevin McGonigle on an eight-year contract extension worth $150 million guaranteed. The deal will begin next year and will cover the 2027 through 2034 seasons, which includes McGonigle's final five seasons of club control, plus his first three years of free agency. Contract escalators in the final three seasons of the deal could bring the total value to a maximum of $160 million. The 21-year-old entered this year as the No. 2 overall prospect in all of baseball, behind only Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin. He earned Arizona Fall League MVP honors and then made the big-league club out of spring training this year. McGonigle is one of only 10 position players in all of baseball to have a 1.1 bWAR or better, and he enters Wednesday's action with a .311 average (19-for-61) with a .417 on-base percentage and .492 slugging percentage. He has reached base safely in 13 straight starts and in 15 of 16 starts overall. McGonigle is one of only 10 big-leaguers with more walks (11) than strikeouts (eight) in his first 17 games. He's the real deal and is here to stay.

7 hours ago

Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Gets Rare Day Off on Tuesday

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Fantasy managers don't need to panic as this appears to be a rare rest day for Keith. The Tigers will opt to go with Javier Baez at shortstop and Kevin McGonigle at the hot corner with tough lefty Cole Ragans on the mound for Kansas City. The expectation is that Keith will be back in the lineup on Wednesday. Keith has been great with the bat, slashing .340/.375/.472 through 15 games this season.

Yesterday

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Flashing High-End Upside Early in 2026

Across his first 53 plate appearances of 2026, Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler is hitting .250/.353/.477 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored. The 27-year-old emerged as the starting catcher in Detroit with a breakout season in 2025, hitting .278 with 13 home runs across 469 plate appearances. Dingler's underlying metrics are even stronger in a small sample size this season, as he's posted a 16.7% barrel rate and 52.8% hard-hit rate. Dingler has also cut his strikeout rate from 23.5% to 18.9%. If Dingler's current batting average on balls in play of .258 regresses closer to the .345 mark he posted in 2025, he could be on the verge of emerging as a high-end starting fantasy catcher. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Dingler profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

Yesterday

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Not Slowing Down at Triple-A, Path to MLB Debut Remains Clear

Detroit Tigers top prospect Max Clark has yet to slow down during his first taste of Triple-A and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. After spending most of the 2025 campaign with High-A and Double-A, the Tigers opted to send their No.1 outfield prospect to Triple-A to begin the 2026 campaign. Through his first 14 games with Toledo, the former third overall pick has produced at an elite level, holding a .352/.439/.537 slash line with a .976 OPS. Even though Clark has yet to go deep, the outfielder has tallied eight doubles, while swiping six bags and holding a 5:10 K:BB. Last week, starting outfielder Parker Meadows (arm) hit the injured list, but the Tigers opted to promote Wenceel Perez, not Clark, to the MLB roster. Despite this, if Clark continues this trajectory, he could be in the mix to debut in the coming weeks, which makes him a high-end hitter to stash in all 12+ team, five-outfielder leagues.

2 days ago

Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Emerging as a Viable Source of Batting Average

Across his first 47 plate appearances of 2026, Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith is hitting .364/.404/.500 with zero home runs, three RBI, and eight runs scored. While Keith has yet to homer, six of his 16 hits have gone for extra bases, and he's posted a ridiculous 61.8% hard-hit rate. Keith's batting average has been inflated by his unsustainable .471 batting average on balls in play. His current strikeout rate of 21.3% is right in line with the 21.8% mark he posted in 2025 while hitting .256. Still, if Keith can continue to consistently make hard contact, he could emerge as a viable source of batting average for fantasy managers. The 24-year-old has also earned a spot in the top third of the Tigers' order against right-handed pitching, which should help him rack up counting stats. In leagues where he is not currently rostered, Keith is a name to target on the waiver wire.

4 days ago

Wenceel Pérez • RF • Tigers

Wenceel Perez Recalled by Tigers

Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take the active roster spot of injured outfielder Parker Meadows (arm, concussion), according to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen. The 26-year-old Perez could be worth a look in AL-only fantasy leagues because he could see considerable playing time in center field with Meadows facing a lengthy absence. The Dominican has hit .243/.304/.405 with a .709 OPS, 22 home runs, 80 RBI, 98 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 212 games over his first two seasons in the big leagues in Motown. Last year, he had 13 home runs, 43 RBI, 47 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 383 plate appearances over 100 games played. Perez offers modest power and speed, but he'll need to produce to avoid falling into a full-time bench role, even with Meadows out for a lengthy period of time.

5 days ago

Parker Meadows • CF • Tigers

Parker Meadows Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Broken Arm, Concussion

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (arm, concussion) is going on the 10-day injured list on Friday after being diagnosed with a broken left arm (radius bone) and a concussion, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Meadows also received five stitches in his cheek. He has been cleared to travel and should be back in Detroit in the next day or two. Meadows had a scary collision with outfielder Riley Greene in Thursday's loss to the Minnesota Twins, and now he's in line for a lengthy absence. The Tigers recalled Wenceel Perez from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move, and he, Javier Baez, and Matt Vierling could battle for playing time in center field with Meadows out. In his first 12 games in 2026, Meadows hit .250 (9-for-36) with no homers, two RBI, three runs scored, and three stolen bases. Fantasy managers looking for versatility and depth in deeper leagues should consider picking up Perez.

5 days ago

Parker Meadows • CF • Tigers

Parker Meadows Leaves After Scary Outfield Collision on Thursday

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (head) was carted off the field in the eighth inning at Target Field on Thursday after a scary collision in the outfield with left fielder Riley Greene, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Meadows was sitting up and was alert as he was being carted off, but he'll surely be put through the league's concussion protocol and could end up landing on the seven-day concussion injured list. The 26-year-old came into Thursday's game hitting .273 (9-for-33) with two RBI, three runs scored, and three stolen bases in his first 11 games, and he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout on Thursday before being pulled from the game. Matt Vierling could see the biggest playing time bump in Detroit if Meadows is forced to the IL. At the very least, we wouldn't expect Meadows to be back in the starting lineup in Friday's series opener at Comerica Park against the visiting Miami Marlins.

6 days ago

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Taking a Seat Thursday

Detroit Tigers rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's game in Minnesota against the division-rival Twins, according to MLB.com. It will be the first day off of the season for McGonigle, who has looked like a seasoned veteran in his first 12 games. McGonigle is hitting .292 (14-for-48) in the early going with five doubles, a triple, seven RBI, seven runs scored, a stolen base, six walks, and seven strikeouts in 54 plate appearances. Javier Baez will start at shortstop on Thursday and will hit seventh for the Tigers against Twins right-hander Mick Abel. McGonigle's power might be slower to develop than the rest of his skills now that he's in the big leagues, but his hot start and regular role make him attractive in all fantasy formats in his rookie campaign. Baez has never faced Abel in his career and will make for a low-upside DFS play near the bottom of Detroit's batting order.

6 days ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Is Tarik Skubal's Early-Season Strikeout Rate a Cause for Concern?

Across his first 17 2/3 innings pitched (three starts) of 2026, Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal has recorded a 1-2 record with a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts. While Skubal's top-line numbers are still very strong, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner hasn't quite found his fully dominant form yet this season. After posting strikeout rates north of 30% in each of the past three seasons, Skubal has struck out just 22.5% of the batters he's faced so far in 2026. Still, Skubal has issued just two walks on the year and is averaging 97.6 mph on his fastball, right in line with where he's been in previous campaigns. The 29-year-old will also get a chance to make his first home start of the year in his next time out against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. Skubal remains an elite starting pitcher option for fantasy managers in 2026.

6 days ago

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter Back From Illness

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (illness) is feeling better and is starting in right field and batting cleanup for Detroit on Wednesday on the road against the division-rival Minnesota Twins and right-hander Bailey Ober, according to MLB.com. Carpenter didn't start in each of the last two games due to a stomach illness, but he was used as a pinch-hitter on Tuesday. Now that the 28-year-old left-handed hitter is feeling better, he'll attempt to dig himself out of an early-season funk at the plate. The former 19th-round pick in 2019 has gone 6-for-32 (.188) with two home runs, six RBI, and three runs scored while walking five times and striking out 16 times in just 38 plate appearances over 10 games played. Carpenter has plenty of experience against Ober, hitting .267 against him with an .886 OPS, a home run, and three RBI in 15 career at-bats, so perhaps this matchup is just what the doctor ordered for the struggling outfielder.

7 days ago

Hunter Dobbins • SP • Cardinals |

Hunter Dobbins • C • Tigers

Hunter Dobbins Looks Good in Rehab Start at Triple-A

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Hunter Dobbins (knee) allowed just an earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out seven in 5 1/3 innings pitched in a minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. He threw 62 of his 91 pitches for strikes. Dobbins was not ready to make his Cardinals debut to start the 2026 season while recovering from ACL surgery, but after throwing 91 pitches on Tuesday, he should be close to being activated from the 15-day injured list. So far on his rehab assignment, Dobbins has given up four runs with three walks and 10 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings pitched. When cleared, Dobbins should immediately join St. Louis' starting rotation in the big leagues. The 26-year-old isn't a dominant arm and had a modest 17.6% strikeout rate with the Red Sox in his big-league debut in 2025, which will limit his fantasy appeal to mainly deep-mixed and NL-only leagues when he joins the Red Birds.

7 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Emerging as Top Hitting Prospect to Stash

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark is riding a six-game hit streak at Triple-A that includes five multi-hit efforts, and he's now batting .367 with six doubles, three steals, and an impressive 7:2 BB:K through his first eight games at that level. The Tigers' second-ranked prospect hit 14 home runs a season ago and stole 19 bases, all while striking out and walking at better-than-average rates between High-A and Double-A, traits he's shown throughout his minor league career. The former third-overall draft pick began the year with a good shot to make his major league debut this season, but if he keeps this up, it will happen sooner rather than later. With his pedigree and the potential to be a multi-category fantasy producer, the 21-year-old is one of the top hitter stash candidates in deeper leagues and could be a viable waiver add in shallow leagues whenever he gets the call, so redraft managers should keep an eye out for any developments.

Apr 7

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Hitting Leadoff for Tigers Against Twins

Detroit Tigers rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle is making the start at the 6 and will bat leadoff for Monday's series opener against the Minnesota Twins and right-hander Joe Ryan at Target Field, per MLB.com. Infielder Colt Keith will drop to third in the batting order. McGonigle, a 21-year-old former first-rounder, came into the 2026 season as the No. 2 overall prospect in all of baseball, and so far, he has delivered after impressing enough in spring training to make the Opening Day roster. He went 10-for-33 (.303) with three doubles, a triple, five RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and five strikeouts in his first nine major-league contests. McGonigle has proven to be mature beyond his years and should now be rostered in all fantasy leagues as a regular for Detroit. All signs point to the infield phenom hitting near the top of Detroit's batting order for many years to come.

Apr 6

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander Placed on the 15-Day Injured List

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hip) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with left-hip inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 1, meaning Verlander will be eligible to return as soon as April 16. The 22-year MLB veteran has made just one start this season, allowing five runs, two walks, and one strikeout through 3.1 innings of work. Despite being 43 years old, injuries haven't become an overly common theme for Verlander yet, as he made 29 starts last year. Tigers fans will hope that he returns after the minimum 15 days to offer Detroit an effective No. 4 starter. Keider Montero has been recalled from Triple-A and will presumably make at least a couple of starts in Verlander's absence.

Apr 4

Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Back in Lineup, Hitting Leadoff Again on Saturday

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith is back in the starting lineup on Saturday, starting at third base and batting leadoff against the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Dustin May, according to MLB.com. Keith was given a rest day on Friday against St. Louis, but he'll be back in the leadoff spot for Detroit for the third time in the last four games. The 24-year-old former fifth-round pick in 2020 has been setting the table nicely for the Tigers early on in 2026, going 8-for-22 (.364) with four doubles, two RBI, four runs scored, two walks, and six strikeouts. With Keith back in the lineup, rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle will slide from leadoff to the two-hole on Saturday. Keith's fantasy stock is up after the strong start, especially with outfielder Kerry Carpenter off to a slow start at the plate, making it unlikely that Carpenter takes the leadoff spot from Keith anytime soon. Keith has reached base safely in all six of his games so far this year.

Apr 4

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Batting Leadoff for Tigers on Friday

Detroit Tigers rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle has been bumped up to leadoff for Friday's game against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Michael McGreevy, according to MLB.com. Infielder Colt Keith will take a seat on the bench for this one. McGonigle, who was considered the consensus No. 2 overall prospect in baseball coming into the season, made the big-league roster out of spring training and has looked mature beyond his years in his first 22 major-league at-bats, going 8-for-22 (.364) with five RBI, four runs scored, three walks, and three strikeouts in his first six games. McGonigle will be starting at third base on Friday for the fourth time, and he's also made three starts at shortstop, so fantasy managers should be able to get dual eligibility out of him in his rookie campaign. If McGonigle continues to perform like he has in the early going, he'll be an absolute steal for fantasy managers who landed him in single-year mixed leagues.

Apr 3

Kenley Jansen • RP • Tigers

Kenley Jansen Stumbles, Blows Save on Tuesday

Detroit Tigers closer Kenley Jansen blew his second save opportunity of the season Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves, surrendering a three-run go-ahead home run after entering with two runners on base in the eighth inning. Jansen is now one for two in save chances this year. Despite the setback, he is not expected to lose trust from his manager after over a decade of dominance in the role. The 38-year-old is in his first season with Detroit and has allowed one run across 1 1/3 innings. He will look to rebound quickly and remain a steady presence at the back end of the bullpen.

Apr 1

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers |

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Hitting Second, Kerry Carpenter Dropped to Fifth

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle is starting at shortstop and will bat out of the two-hole on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, while designated hitter Kerry Carpenter is being dropped to the fifth spot in the batting order, according to MLB.com. Third baseman Colt Keith will be the club's leadoff hitter at Chase Field. McGonigle, only 21 years old, hasn't looked like a rookie in his first four games, going 5-for-14 (.357) with two doubles, four RBI, three runs scored, three walks, and three strikeouts. He has quickly demanded a move up the batting order, which will only raise his fantasy ceiling in 2026. Tuesday will be McGonigle's first time in the two-hole in his career after batting sixth for Detroit to begin the season. Carpenter, meanwhile, has one hit in 16 at-bats with 10 strikeouts in his first four games. Perhaps Carpenter can get going on Tuesday, as he's 2-for-3 in his career versus Pfaadt. McGonigle is already rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues.

Mar 31

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Showing Patience, Speed in First Taste of Triple-A

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark is getting his first taste of Triple-A this year, and although he's just 2-for-10 (.200) to begin the season, the Tigers' second-ranked prospect has walked four times compared to just one strikeout, and has stolen one base in each of his first three games played for Toledo thus far. The former third-overall draft pick split time between High-A and Double-A last season, registering a .271/.403/.432 slash line with 14 home runs and 19 steals in 111 games. The left-handed slugger has shown better-than-average strikeout and walk rates throughout his time in the minors and could be in store for a big season at Triple-A. The 21-year-old has the potential to be a multi-category producer for fantasy and should be long stashed away in dynasty leagues, however, with a chance for a late-season call-up, he should also be on the redraft radar.

Mar 31

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