Detroit Tigers News

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Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Lands on 15-Day IL, Tigers Rotation Takes Significant Hit

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 28, due to right groin tightness. Manager A.J. Hinch indicated the move was precautionary, noting that Mize requires a slower week as he works through the issue. The 29-year-old has been one of Detroit's most reliable starters in 2026, posting a 2.27 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts across 47 2/3 innings in nine starts. Mize has been especially dominant lately, recording a 1.45 ERA over his last seven outings after a difficult start to the season. While the injury does not appear serious, his absence leaves a noticeable void in the Tigers' rotation. The former No. 1 overall pick has emerged as a key contributor in his sixth season in Detroit.

23 hours ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark a Priority Stash with Speed and On-Base Upside

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark continues to hit the ball well in Triple-A, using his bat and speed to rise up the prospect rankings in fantasy baseball. Clark has reached base in seven consecutive contests, bringing his season OBP to a respectable mark of .344. Through 47 total games, he's slashing .268/.344/.389 with two homers, 17 total extra-base hits, 12 stolen bases, a 10.2% walk rate, a 14.9% strikeout rate, and 99 wRC+. He's been right around league average in terms of run creation, but his ability to rack up extra-base hits and stolen bases makes him a worthwhile stash in fantasy baseball, even though he's still in the minors. Clark, the No. 3 pick in 2023, is already rostered in 5% of leagues, and we expect that percentage to soar as he gets closer to making his MLB debut. Managers should get ahead of the race to roster Clark and add him while he's still widely available.

Yesterday

Kyle Finnegan • RP • Tigers

Kyle Finnegan a Good Short-Term Source for Saves?

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Kyle Finnegan should have a chance to be a good source of save opportunities in the short-term, with 38-year-old Kenley Jansen (groin) landing on the injured list on Thursday with a lower-body injury. Although Finnegan's 1.75 ERA looks good on the surface, his ERA estimators all support that he has been very lucky, as evidenced by his 4.38 xERA, 5.13 FIP, and 5.99 SIERA. The discrepancy between his underlying data and surface stats is too wide to assume that regression isn't coming. He also owns a 1.56 WHIP, which is not good, and he is walking batters at a 17.6 percent clip with a 13.9 percent strikeout rate. All that to say, he does have a lot of closing experience with 113 career saves over seven MLB seasons, and all fantasy managers need from him is to lock down those saves in the ninth inning to get a point in that category. During a season where saves have been hard to come by, fantasy managers in formats where they are desperate for saves will want to take a look at Finnegan, only while Jansen is sidelined.

2 days ago

Riley Greene • LF • Tigers

Riley Greene's Current Pathway to Production May Be Unsustainable

Across 232 plate appearances entering play on Thursday, Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene was hitting .305/.401/.440 with four home runs, 25 RBI, 30 runs scored, and one stolen base. While Greene has been a productive hitter, his power output has come down considerably from where it was in 2025, when he clubbed 36 home runs across 655 plate appearances. Greene's barrel rate is down from 17.1% last season to 12.6% this season. As the weather heats up in Detroit, Greene could find more power. However, if he doesn't, his current path to production may be unsustainable. With a 28% strikeout rate and a heavily inflated .435 batting average on balls in play, Greene's batting average seems likely to regress closer to his career mark of .268 over the course of a full season. As a result, fantasy managers may want to consider selling high on Greene before he runs into some batting average regression.

2 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Still a Top Hitter to Stash with Multi-Category Potential

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark remains firmly on the stash radar after hitting safely in 12 of his last 14 games at Triple-A Toledo, going 16-for-60 (.267) during that stretch with four doubles, a triple, one home run, and two stolen bases. The Tigers' top-ranked prospect owns a respectable .267/.338/.390 slash line in 46 games for the Mud Hens, with two home runs and 11 steals, while his 14.8 percent strikeout rate shows he's not overmatched at the top level of the minors. The left-handed slugger is also drawing walks at a 9.5 percent rate thanks to a 77th percentile chase rate, displaying a good all-around approach. Although the organization is in no rush to get him to the majors, the former third-overall draft pick should get that chance in the coming weeks and should be considered a high-end stash option for his multi-category fantasy potential.

2 days ago

Kenley Jansen • RP • Tigers

Tigers Place Kenley Jansen on Injured List With Pelvic Inflammation

The Detroit Tigers placed veteran right-handed closer Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with pelvic inflammation and recalled left-hander Drew Sommers from the minors in a corresponding move, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers initially announced that Jansen was removed from his outing on Wednesday night against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, with a right-groin injury. The 17-year veteran and four-time All-Star has seven saves in 18 appearances in his first year with Detroit, but he's also gone 1-3 and has struggled to a 4.80 ERA (5.80 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and nine walks in 15 innings pitched. Will Vest hasn't been any better in 2026 and has also dealt with injuries, so right-hander Kyle Finnegan should be the reliever to target off the waiver wire now that Jansen is on the shelf. Finnegan has just one save this year and has walked 19, but he's allowed just five earned runs in 25 2/3 frames with 15 K's, and he has 113 career saves in six-plus MLB seasons. He is rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues right now.

2 days ago

Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Plays Catch, Still Awaiting MRI Results

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) played catch on Thursday but is still awaiting the results of an MRI exam after being pulled from his start early on Wednesday due to right-groin tightness, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. McCosky notes that it's not a bad sign that Mize was able to throw on Thursday, although the Tigers don't have to make an immediate move with him. It's a positive development that the 29-year-old former first overall pick out of Auburn in 2018 did some throwing a day after his injury, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he will avoid the injured list. We should have a better idea of Mize's status in the next day or two. Mize was a first-time All-Star in 2025, his fifth year with the Tigers, and is currently sporting a career-low 2.27 ERA (2.38 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP, with a career-best 26.5% strikeout rate and a 6.5% walk rate in 47 2/3 frames across nine starts. As long as he can continue to miss more bats and stay healthy, Mize will be an intriguing matchup-based streamer in fantasy. He's rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues right now.

2 days ago

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Starting a Rehab Assignment on Friday

Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres (oblique) will head to Triple-A Toledo on Friday for a minor-league rehab assignment, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Torres might be a day or two before he plays in his first game. The Tigers won't rush Torres once he starts playing in games down on the farm since he has been sidelined for almost four weeks due to a strained left oblique muscle. But barring a setback, Torres could be back with the big-league squad by the end of next week. The 29-year-old veteran Venezuelan second baseman will return to starting duties at the keystone in Motown when he's reinstated from the 10-day injured list. The three-time All-Star shouldn't be expected to return to the 20-homer mark, and he also has very minimal speed, but he has great plate discipline and should continue to be an asset in leagues that count on-base percentage. Torres was slashing .259/.389/.328 with two home runs, 11 RBI, 18 runs, 25 walks, and 22 K's in 32 games across 144 plate appearances for Detroit at the time of his injury.

2 days ago

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter to Start a Rehab Assignment on Friday

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Friday, according to MLive Media Group's Evan Woodbery. Carpenter was cleared to resume playing in games after he took part in right-hander Justin Verlander's (hip) simulated game on Wednesday. If he can avoid any setbacks this weekend, Carpenter could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list to rejoin the Tigers' starting lineup at some point early next week. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has been on the shelf for just under three weeks with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. Before his injury, Carpenter was batting a disappointing .216 (22-for-102) with six home runs, 17 RBI, 11 runs scored, 11 walks, and 40 strikeouts across 37 games (117 plate appearances). He won't offer much speed and strikes out too much to be an asset in on-base-percentage leagues, but Carpenter proved last year with his career-high 26 homers that he can help in the power department against right-handed pitchers. He's currently rostered in just under 40% of Yahoo leagues.

2 days ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal to Throw Another Sim Game on Monday

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) will throw another simulated game/live batting practice session on Monday at Tropicana Field, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Manager A.J. Hinch said Skubal might get an extra day before his next outing as well, which would push it to June 7. Woodbery speculates that if Skubal continues to avoid setbacks and the Tigers keep pushing his timeline, he could make a minor-league rehab start on June 12, with a return to the Tigers' starting rotation potentially coming on June 17 in Houston against the Astros. The back-to-back American League Cy Young winner has made exceptional progress after having a minimally invasive procedure to remove a loose body from his left elbow. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star threw 39 pitches in 2 2/3 innings during a sim game on Tuesday and came out of it feeling fine. Skubal would love to return as soon as possible in June to build his trade value before the early August deadline. He went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 45 K's in 43 1/3 innings over seven starts this year before going on the 15-day injured list.

2 days ago

Kyle Finnegan • RP • Tigers

Kyle Finnegan Emerging as Top Waiver-Wire Option for Saves in Detroit

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan could be set to step into a much larger role going forward, and his fantasy value would skyrocket if he takes over as the full-time closer in Detroit. Current closer Kenley Jansen (groin) got a visit from the trainer before Wednesday's outing but pitched through the issue, getting two quick outs before issuing a walk and leaving the game. The veteran closer will have further evaluation and possibly imaging to determine the severity of the issue and if he'll end up on the injured list. Finnegan had a career-high 38 saves in 2024 with the Nationals before being traded to Detroit at the Trade Deadline last year. The 34-year-old righty has a 1.75 ERA in his 25 2/3 innings in 25 appearances this season with just one save to go with his six holds. If Jansen lands on the injured list, Finnegan would likely be the next option to step up in Detroit's bullpen and could be a great source of saves for as long as Jansen is sidelined. Finnegan is worth an instant addition in deep leagues as a speculative pickup, and the situation is critical to monitor in standard-sized leagues as well, since Finnegan would be a top closer for as long as he has the full-time job.

3 days ago

Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Exits Start on Wednesday Due to Groin Tightness

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (groin) was forced to exit early from his start on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels due to groin tightness. The 29-year-old recorded six strikeouts while allowing just three baserunners across four scoreless innings before getting pulled. Mize has been excellent so far this season when healthy, recording a 2-3 record with a 2.27 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts across 47 2/3 innings (nine starts). However, he already hit the injured list once in early May due to an adductor strain and could now be headed for a second stint on the IL. Should Mize be forced to miss time, Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long could be in line for a promotion from Triple-A to rejoin the big-league rotation.

3 days ago

Kenley Jansen • RP • Tigers

Kenley Jansen Exits Relief Appearance on Wednesday With Groin Injury

Detroit Tigers closer Kenley Jansen (groin) exited early from his relief appearance on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Angels due to a right-groin injury, per Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Jansen recorded two outs and walked a batter in the ninth inning before being pulled from the game. The 38-year-old has been shaky in his first season with Detroit, converting just seven out of 11 save chances while pitching to a 4.80 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 15 innings. The seriousness of Jansen's injury is not yet clear, but this is the second time in 2026 that the veteran right-hander has battled groin discomfort. If Jansen ends up missing time, Kyle Finnegan could be in line to assume the ninth-inning role for the Tigers.

3 days ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Cubs Linked as Top Landing Spot for Tarik Skubal

Jon Heyman of Bleacher Report identifies the Chicago Cubs as his top landing spot in a potential trade for Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (elbow). Skubal is currently on the 15-day injured list as he recovers from elbow surgery, but the star left-hander has already progressed to facing live hitters and could be ready to return by mid-June. Before getting injured, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner had recorded a 3-2 record with a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts across 43 1/3 innings (seven starts). While Skubal is not a lock to be traded, he's set to hit free agency at the end of 2026, and the Tigers are currently 12 games under .500. A move to Chicago might be the best-case scenario for fantasy managers, as it would keep Skubal in a pitcher-friendly home environment and provide him with a better chance to pick up wins.

3 days ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander Throws Successful Sim Game on Wednesday

Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) threw 66 pitches in his live batting practice session on Wednesday and hit 95.3 mph on the radar gun in his fourth inning of work. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports that it seemed like an improvement over his previous session. Verlander was placed on the 60-day injured list with a hip injury after making his first start in his return to Detroit at the end of March. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer has been slow to recover, but he's making strides lately and could be cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment soon. It's unclear when the former MVP, three-time Cy Young winner, and nine-time All-Star will be ready to come off the IL, though, and when he does, there may not be an opening in the Tigers' starting rotation if both Tarik Skubal (elbow) and Ty Madden (forearm) are back by then. There are much better upside pitching stashes than Verlander at this point near the end of his amazing career. Verlander is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter Facing Live Pitching, Rehab Assignment Could Come Soon

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) is taking live at-bats in a simulated game against right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) on Wednesday, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. It's a good sign that Carpenter is close to being ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. It was the first time that Carpenter had seen live pitching since he was placed on the 10-day injured list in early May with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. If the 29-year-old starts a rehab assignment on the farm soon and avoids any setbacks with his shoulder, he could return to the big-league roster by early June. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder was hitting only .216 (22-for-102) at the time of his injury with six home runs and 17 RBI in his first 37 games of 2026, but he proved last year that he's capable of plenty of power production for fantasy managers, clubbing a career-best 26 homers and driving in 62 in 130 regular-season games. Carpenter is a stash candidate for those looking for a boost in power going forward, and he's rostered in only 39% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Following Injury Return?

After opening 2026 on the injured list while rehabbing from an elbow injury, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton was activated for his season debut on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles. The 25-year-old picked up a win in his first time out, allowing two hits, three walks, and one earned run while striking out three across 5 2/3 innings of work. Melton was utilized mostly in a bulk relief role upon making his MLB debut in 2025, finishing the year with a 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 36 strikeouts across 45 2/3 innings (16 games). However, injuries and underperformance in the Tigers' rotation should allow Melton an extended runway to prove himself as a starter in 2026. The young right-hander may not offer the highest strikeout upside, but he's been effective at the big league level to this point in his career. Particularly in deeper formats, Melton profiles as a prime waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

3 days ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander to Throw Live Batting Practice on Wednesday

Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) will throw a live batting practice session on Wednesday at Comerica Park, according to MLive.com's Evan Woodbery. The Tigers are hoping to have Verlander throw four to five innings or 65 to 70 pitches as he continues to work his way back from right-hip inflammation that landed him on the 60-day injured list after his first start of the 2026 season back in late March. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer allowed five earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out one in 3 2/3 innings in his lone start against the Arizona Diamondbacks before he was shut down with his hip injury. With both Ty Madden (forearm) and Tarik Skubal (elbow) potentially coming off the IL before Verlander does, there may be no room in Detroit's starting rotation for the aging veteran when he's ready to return. Even if Verlander rejoins the Tigers' rotation next month, fantasy managers will have better upside options to choose from. Verlander is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.

4 days ago

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Feels Good After Swinging on Tuesday

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) swung the bat on Tuesday in the cage and felt good, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. The Tigers will have Torres repeat that on Wednesday. Getting his swing back to 100% is the final hurdle to clear before he can go out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 29-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list back on May 6 with a left-oblique injury, and he's been slow to recover. However, once he starts a rehab assignment, Torres could be back with the big-league club shortly after that, potentially in early June. The Venezuelan infielder is the Tigers' starting second baseman when healthy, but until he can return from the IL, Hao-Yu Lee and Zach McKinstry will continue to see most of the at-bats at the keystone in Detroit. Torres was an All-Star for the third time in his career in 2025 in his first year in Motown. He has very modest power and speed, but he's useful as middle-infield depth for his plate discipline and ability to get on base in fantasy.

4 days ago

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter Making Progress, Could Face Live Pitching on Wednesday

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) hit in a cage at "near full speed" on Tuesday and could take live batting practice on Wednesday, per MLB.com. The 28-year-old has been on the 10-day injured list since early May due to an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, but it appears as though he's making good progress and could go out on a minor league rehab assignment in short order. Carpenter was off to a bit of a slow start to the 2026 season before the injury, hitting .216/.299/.451 with six home runs, 17 RBI, and 11 runs scored across 117 plate appearances. However, the veteran slugger hit 26 home runs in just 464 plate appearances in 2025 and owns a 12.4% barrel rate. Assuming his shoulder gets back to full strength and does not impact his production once he returns to the big leagues, Carpenter profiles as a viable power bat for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

4 days ago

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