Detroit Tigers News

CENTRAL

Jack Flaherty • SP • Tigers

Jack Flaherty to Throw a Bullpen on Saturday

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty will be throwing off a mound for the first time this weekend since a strained left peroneal muscle in his ankle landed him on the 15-day injured list last week. Barring a setback as he begins to ramp back up, Flaherty has a chance to return to the Tigers' starting rotation before the All-Star break in mid-July. He's eligible to come off the IL on June 28. The 30-year-old veteran is leading the league in losses (eight) in 2026 for the second straight season in Detroit and has a bloated 5.35 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings across his 15 starts. Flaherty hasn't pitched as poorly as his underlying metrics suggest, but fantasy managers don't have a whole lot of incentive in shallow-mixed leagues to keep him stashed for the time being. He's currently rostered in only 43% of Yahoo leagues.

22 hours ago

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Receives a Cortisone Shot, Starting Rehab Soon

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) received a cortisone shot and will start his rehab in a day or two, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Torres landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday for the second time this year with a strained oblique and is likely to be out for at least another month, meaning he won't return for fantasy managers until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 29-year-old Venezuelan doesn't provide much power or speed offensively, but he is a great source of on-base percentage and batting average as a high-contact hitter with great plate discipline. Since returning from his first stint on the IL on June 2, Torres was on a hot streak, going 14-for-41 (.341) with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs scored in 11 games in June. Fantasy managers can only hope he'll pick up where he left off whenever he returns from his second trip to the IL in the second half of 2026. In the meantime, expect Hao-Yu Lee and Zach McKinstry to split playing time at the keystone in Motown. Torres is currently being stashed in just under half of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs his balky oblique muscle.

22 hours ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Tigers Scratch Justin Verlander From his Start on Sunday

The Detroit Tigers have scratched veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip, hamstring) from his scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox with a left-hamstring injury after he threw a bullpen session on Wednesday in Houston, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers expect Verlander's recovery to be "a matter of weeks." It's a tough blow for the future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner, as Verlander was on track to come off the 60-day injured list to start on Sunday after spending almost three months on the shelf with inflammation in his left hip. Now the 43-year-old is dealing with a hamstring ailment that will keep him on the IL for another couple of weeks. Right-hander Keider Montero is expected to replace Verlander in the series finale against Chicago on Sunday. Verlander has had an amazing run in his 21 years in the big leagues, but he's struggled to stay healthy towards the end and doesn't have much juice left.

22 hours ago

Trei Cruz • CF • Tigers

Prospect Trei Cruz Being Called Up From Triple-A, Worth a Look in Deep Leagues?

The Detroit Tigers are calling up outfield prospect Trei Cruz to the big leagues on Thursday after placing utility man Wenceel Perez (face) on the 10-day injured list, a source told Ari Alexander of 7 News. Cruz is the son of former big-leaguer Jose Cruz Jr. and the grandson of Jose Cruz. He becomes a third-generation big-leaguer now that he's in the majors for the first time. The 27-year-old Canadian native will give manager A.J. Hinch plenty of options off the bench for however long he's up in the majors. Cruz, a former third-round pick in 2020 out of Rice University, has hit just .225/.331/.326 with a .657 OPS, two home runs, 17 RBI, 20 runs scored, and a stolen base in 38 games in 2026 with Single-A Lakeland and Toledo. His biggest strength is his versatility, being able to hit from both sides and play pretty much every position on the diamond (he has experience everywhere except catcher, pitcher, and first base). MLB Pipeline has Cruz listed as Detroit's No. 22 prospect. What Cruz lacks in power, he makes up for with a mature approach at the plate and a high hard-hit rate. Most likely, Cruz will be a bench player for the Tigers.

Yesterday

Will Vest • RP • Tigers

Will Vest Still Worth Targeting After Fourth Blown Save?

Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Will Vest was garnering some interest off the waiver wire recently with regular closer Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the injured list. Vest picked up his first save of the year on June 1 and also won his second game of the year on June 7 to peak interest among those desperate for saves, but now that Jansen is back from the IL, Vest's path to save chances is shrinking. Additionally, the 31-year-old veteran blew his fourth save of 2026 in his last appearance out of the bullpen on June 16 against the Houston Astros, allowing an earned run on one hit while walking one in just one-third of an inning. Jansen has been shaky in his own right this year and is 38 years old, but Vest hasn't exactly put himself at the top of the line as a closer handcuff in Detroit with his 2-4 record, 6.45 ERA (3.68 FIP), and 1.48 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and nine walks in 22 1/3 innings. If Jansen gets injured again or demoted from the closer's role, it could be Kyle Finnegan, and not Vest, as the next man up for saves for manager A.J. Hinch. Vest is rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues.

2 days ago

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton Remains a Starting Pitcher Streamer to Target on the Waiver Wire

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton (back) was scratched from his start on Monday against the Houston Astros due to lower back tightness. However, the 25-year-old is listed as Detroit's probable starter on Saturday against the Chicago White Sox and appears to have avoided a trip to the injured list. Melton missed time to start the season with elbow inflammation, but he's been effective since returning to the Tigers' rotation on May 24. Across 25 2/3 innings (four starts), Melton has recorded a 3-0 record with a 2.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts. Melton's 13.7% strikeout rate is unimpressive, but he posted a 32.4% strikeout rate across 75 1/3 minor league innings in 2025. As he gets more MLB innings under his belt, Melton could emerge as more of a swing-and-miss threat. In deeper leagues, Melton profiles as a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

2 days ago

Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Activated and Starting on Wednesday in Houston

The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that they activated right-hander Casey Mize (groin) from the 15-day injured list and placed infielder Gleyber Torres (oblique) on the 10-day IL with a left-oblique strain in a corresponding move. Mize is returning from an adductor strain that has kept him sidelined since May 27. In his only minor-league rehab start, the 29-year-old went five innings and threw only 55 pitches last Tuesday, so we'd advise against using him as a streamer on Wednesday, even in the favorable matchup at Daikin Park. The former first overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft out of Auburn University has kept the positive momentum going this year after being named a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his fifth year in the majors. Mize is returning to a 2-3 record, career-best 2.27 ERA (2.40 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, 49:12 K:BB, and career-high 26.5% walk rate in 47 2/3 frames over his nine starts. He is rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues and is worth a pickup off the waiver wire for additional rotation depth in mixed leagues.

3 days ago

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Going Back on Injured List With Oblique Injury

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) is going back on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left-oblique strain, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Torres reinjured his oblique on Monday in the series opener against the Houston Astros and was held out of the starting lineup the last two days. He will now miss even more time, and this is the second time he's been on the IL this year with the same injury. Torres missed over a month last time around, so fantasy managers should expect the middle infielder to miss at least that much time again. Hao-Yu Lee has started at the keystone for Detroit the last two games with Torres out, and he should share time at the position with utility infielder Zach McKinstry through the mid-July All-Star break. It's a tough time for the 29-year-old Torres to get hurt again, as he was hitting .341 (14-for-41) with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs scored in 11 games since returning from the IL the first time on June 2. Torres is a strong source of average and on-base percentage when he's healthy, but he might not be back until late July or early August.

3 days ago

Colt Keith • 3B • Tigers

Is Colt Keith a Worthy Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Potential Power Breakout?

Across 209 plate appearances in 2026, Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith has hit .267/.311/.390 with four home runs, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored, and three stolen bases. While the 24-year-old's power output for the season has been disappointing, he may be on the verge of a breakout after hitting three home runs on Monday night in Detroit's win over the Houston Astros. Keith owns a 8.5% barrel rate and 42.5% hard-hit rate on the year - far from elite power metrics, but capable marks that point to double-digit homer power over the course of a full season. The lefty-swinging Keith has logged just 11 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season, so his platoon usage holds down his playing time ceiling. Still, he profiles as a modest five-category contributor against right-handed pitching and could be worth streaming off the waiver wire in weeks when Detroit faces a string of right-handed starting pitchers.

3 days ago

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Still Out on Wednesday With Side Injury

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (side) will remain on the bench for Detroit's series finale on Wednesday against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, per MLB.com. Hao-Yu Lee is making the start at the keystone and will bat eighth versus Astros right-hander Peter Lambert. This will be Torres' second missed game after injuring his left side in Monday's series opener in Houston. With a scheduled off day coming for the Tigers, his next chance to return to the starting nine will be for Friday's series opener back at home against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. The Tigers are not ruling out a stint on the injured list for Torres, who has already been on the IL this year with an oblique strain. The 29-year-old Venezuelan middle infielder has hit .280 (44-for-157) on the year with a .395 on-base percentage, but it has come with only four home runs, 18 RBI, and 26 RBI. Since returning from the IL on June 2, Torres has gone 14-for-41 (.341) at the plate with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs scored, so his side injury has come at an inopportune time.

3 days ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander to Return on Sunday, Worth Rostering in Fantasy?

Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) will come off the 60-day injured list to start on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. It will be Verlander's second start of the 2026 season after he gave up five earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out one in 3 2/3 innings on March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks before being placed on the IL. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer was deemed ready to rejoin Detroit's starting rotation after throwing a 66-pitch, four-inning simulated game on Monday. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP had a decent 3.38 ERA and 1.08 ERA in 10 2/3 innings pitched during his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo. Verlander will probably be limited in his first start back this weekend in what is a bad matchup against the suddenly potent White Sox's lineup. Despite the news that Verlander is set to return from the IL this weekend, he's still rostered in less than 5% of Yahoo leagues.

3 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Hitting Well at Triple-A, Remains a High-End Offensive Stash

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark's bat woke up over the weekend, going 6-for-13 (.462) in three games from Friday to Sunday, including a home run, a stolen base, and two walks compared to zero strikeouts. It was his fourth straight contest in which the Tigers' top-ranked prospect did not strike out at all, and he recorded two multi-hit efforts after going 13 consecutive games without one. The surge boosted his season average to .259 with a .345 on-base percentage, while the home run was his third in June after collecting just two over the first two months of the season. Although the team is not rushing him to the majors, with his bat coming alive, it could build some momentum for a midseason call-up for a team that is in need of some offensive help, ranking in the bottom third in terms of runs scored per game and near the bottom in stolen bases per game. With the ability to potentially impact five fantasy categories, the 21-year-old remains one of the top bats to stash despite his debut likely at least a few weeks out.

3 days ago

Colt Keith • 3B • Tigers

Colt Keith Goes Off on Monday Night With Three Home Runs

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith had a day to remember on Monday night in Houston in the Tigers' 9-3 win over the hosting Astros at Daikin Park. Keith went 3-for-4 at the plate with three home runs, a career-high six RBI, and a strikeout to boost his season batting average to .267 and his OPS to .701. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter went 62 games to begin the 2026 season without clearing the fences before hitting his first home run of the year on June 11 against the Minnesota Vikings, and now he sits at four round-trippers after an out-of-nowhere display of power. The former fifth-rounder in 2020 came into Monday's series opener with a .257/.299/.335 slash line, .634 OPS, just one home run, 10 RBI, 24 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 191 at-bats. Keith hit exactly 13 home runs in each of his first two years in the big leagues. He's on a homer binge right now, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect it to last. Keith has minimal power and speed, but he is eligible at first, second, and third base in Yahoo leagues, which makes him more attractive as bench depth in deeper fantasy leagues.

4 days ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander Throws Sim Game on Monday

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) threw a simulated game on Monday instead of returning to the starting rotation to face his former team, the Houston Astros, according to the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold. In four innings during his sim game, Verlander threw 66 pitches while facing Hao-Yu Lee, Jake Rogers, and Wenceel Perez. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer isn't a lock to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to rejoin the Tigers' starting rotation next, so he could be asked to throw another simulated game or make a minor-league rehab start first. If he does make his next start in the big leagues, it would likely come this Saturday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox in what would be a clear matchup to stay away from. The nine-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young winner, and former MVP doesn't have much left in the tank at this point in his outstanding career, and fantasy managers should have plenty of better upside options available off the waiver wire. Even with Verlander nearing a return to Detroit, he's only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues.

4 days ago

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Leaves Early on Monday With Side Injury

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (side) left Monday night's game early against the Houston Astros with a left-side injury after swinging at a first-pitch fastball in the second inning, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Before leaving, Torres went 0-for-1 at the plate with a strikeout. He was replaced at second base by Hao-Yu Lee. The 29-year-old Torres had just returned from the injured list in early June with a left-oblique strain, so he could very well be going right back on the IL with a similar injury. The Venezuelan infielder makes a lot of contact and gets on base thanks to a strong eye at the plate, but otherwise, he doesn't move the needle all that much for fantasy managers. Coming into Monday's series opener against Houston at Daikin Park, Torres was slashing .282/.397/.397 with a .794 OPS, only four home runs, 18 RBI, and 26 runs scored in 156 at-bats in 2026. Since returning from the IL on June 2, he had gone 14-for-40 (.350) with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs scored in 10 games played, so this would be extremely bad timing for a setback with his previously injured oblique.

4 days ago

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton Scratched on Monday With Lower-Back Tightness

Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton (back) was scratched from his start on Monday against the Houston Astros with lower-back tightness, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Drew Anderson was pegged to start the game in Melton's place in a bullpen-only game. Fantasy managers will want to consider Melton day-to-day, but he's definitely in danger of missing his next start. In just his second year in the big leagues, the 25-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2022 out of San Diego State University has gone 3-0 for the Tigers with a 2.81 ERA (5.36 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and six walks in 25 2/3 innings pitched. Melton went 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 36 punchouts and 15 walks in 45 2/3 innings in his first 16 appearances (four starts) as a rookie in 2025. With a 4.88 FIP and just a 17.7% strikeout rate through his first 20 outings (eight starts) in the big leagues, Melton is due for plenty of regression. Despite his strong start in 2026, Melton is merely a deep-league streaming option and is rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues. UPDATE: According to The Detroit News' Chris McCosky, Melton is optimistic that he will avoid a trip to the 15-day injured list.

4 days ago

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter Can Provide Pop Off the Waiver Wire

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter hit just .216 (22-for-102) with a .299 on-base percentage, 11 walks, and 40 strikeouts in his first 37 games of the 2026 season before getting hurt and landing on the injured list. But since rejoining the big-league squad on May 31, the left-handed-hitting outfielder has gone 10-for-33 (.303) with three home runs, a double, nine RBI, and four runs scored in 38 plate appearances for the Tigers. The 28-year-old former 19th-round selection in 2019 out of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University had a career-high 26 home runs and 62 RBI in a career-high 130 regular-season games for Detroit last year, and he also reached the 20-homer mark in 2023 in his first full season in the big leagues. Carpenter has a weak .321 career on-base percentage, and he has struck out over 30% of the time so far in 2026, but he has 79 home runs in 414 major-league games to this point and has enough power to help carry fantasy squads for stretches when he's locked in at the plate. He's currently rostered in 41% of Yahoo leagues and is worth a pickup for fantasy managers who need power.

5 days ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander Set for Simulated Game as Hip Recovery Continues

Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) is expected to throw a simulated game on Monday in Houston as he continues his recovery from left hip inflammation. Verlander completed his second rehab start on June 10 with Triple-A Toledo, where he allowed four runs on five hits over six innings. The future Hall of Famer made just one start before the injury, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks across 3 2/3 innings. Staying healthy will be the primary focus for Verlander in his 22nd major league season as he works to rejoin the Tigers rotation.

5 days ago

Jack Flaherty • SP • Tigers

Tigers Place Jack Flaherty on Injured List With Peroneal Strain

The Detroit Tigers announced on Saturday that they placed right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle, foot) on the 15-day injured list with a left peroneal strain and recalled infielder Hao-Yu Lee from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. The Tigers pulled Flaherty from his start early on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians with an injury to his outer ankle/foot. The good news for Detroit is that they are getting ace left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) back on Saturday, with right-hander Casey Mize (groin) coming back from the IL on Sunday in the series finale against Cleveland. It's unclear how much time Flaherty will be forced to miss, but he will at least be out for a couple of turns through the starting rotation. The 30-year-old veteran has had a rough second year in Motown, losing a league-high eight games in his first 15 starts, also posting an ERA above 5.00 with a 1.57 WHIP, 78 strikeouts, and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched. Flaherty has been a bit unlucky this year, but even when considering his 4.60 expected ERA and 4.10 FIP, there's not a ton to like. He's currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.

6 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Strengthens Case as Must-Stash Outfield Prospect

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark continues to be a very appealing name on the fantasy baseball waiver wire. Although he's still in Triple-A, Clark projects to make his MLB debut this summer, boasting an enticing blend of speed, quality contact, and good swing decisions. So far this year, he's slashing .248/.335/.374 with an 11.0% walk rate, 16.3% strikeout rate, and 93 wRC+. Although the wRC+ is down, that's likely a product of a reduced home run total. He's gone yard just four times this year, which is a stark contrast from his 14 homers last season. The good news is that he's still hitting the ball hard, as his 111.3 mph maximum exit velocity ranks in the 83rd percentile. He also has a 20.60% chase rate (85th percentile), 14.8% whiff rate (93rd percentile), and 90.94% zone contact rate (90th percentile). Managers in deeper formats shouldn't wait to stash Clark, who is already rostered in 5% of leagues.

7 days ago

Detroit Tigers News

LEGEND