Detroit Tigers News

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Spencer Torkelson • 1B • Tigers

Spencer Torkelson Leaves Sim Game Early After Hit-by-Pitch

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (forearm) was hit on his right forearm by a pitch during a simulated game in camp on Tuesday and left early with a trainer for treatment, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. It's unclear right now how serious Torkelson's injury is or if it will prevent him from being ready on Opening Day later this month. The 26-year-old former first overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State hit 31 home runs for the second time in his career last season after clubbing only 10 long balls in 2024, and he added 78 RBI and 82 runs scored in 155 games played while slashing .240/.333/.456 in 649 plate appearances. There's always going to be swing and miss in Torkelson's game, but he cut back slightly on his whiffs in 2025 and showed more plate discipline. Fantasy managers should look at Tork as a power asset later in drafts as corner-infield depth.

7 hours ago

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Tigers Place Troy Melton on 60-Day Injured List

The Detroit Tigers placed right-hander Troy Melton (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Tuesday with elbow inflammation despite no rehab setback, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The move means that the earliest Melton can return in 2026 is on May 25. The 25-year-old has yet to resume throwing since suffering a right-elbow strain early in spring training last month. It's a big setback for the young pitcher after he looked good in his big-league debut for Detroit last year. Melton went 3-2 on the mound with a 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 36 strikeouts, and 15 walks in a small sample size of 45 2/3 innings over 16 outings (four starts). He showed even more upside as a key arm for the Tigers in the offseason, even if his strikeout rate from the minors didn't carry over. The expectation was that Melton would get a shot at a full-time starting role this year, but those plans could be changing because of his elbow injury.

8 hours ago

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Still in Big League Camp After Latest Roster Cuts

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle survived the latest rounds of big-league roster cuts on Monday, meaning he's still in contention to break camp with the Tigers with the regular season just a little over two weeks away. The Tigers' top-ranked prospect has shown well in spring training, going 6-for-17 (.353), including two doubles and a triple in nine Grapefruit League contests. He even went 3-for-3 with a walk and a home run off veteran pitcher Luis Severino in a WBC exhibition game against the Dominican Republic. MLB's No. 2 prospect overall seems to be ready for big league competition, however, he's yet to play a single game at Triple-A, so there is still a chance the Tigers could send him there to begin the year in order to make sure he's fully prepared to make the jump to the major leagues. Either way, expect the left-handed slugger to be fantasy relevant in 2026, whether it is on Opening Day or later in the year. Fantasy managers who have yet to draft should keep an eye on the remaining roster cuts, as he could be a value pick around his ADP of 311 if he begins the year in Detroit.

Yesterday

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Reassigned to Minor-League Camp

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark was reassigned to minor league camp on Monday. The Tigers' second-ranked prospect participated in his first big league camp this year, but went just 2-for-18 (.111) during his time there. It's not clear which level he'll begin the season at, but if successful, the left-handed slugger could debut in Detroit later this year. The former third-overall draft pick finished the 2025 campaign at Double-A, slashing .251/.360/.439 with seven home runs and seven steals in 43 games. Notably, MLB's No. 10 prospect walked (14.2 percent) nearly as much as he struck out (16.7 percent), showing that he was not overmatched at that level. With no major league debut imminent, Clark isn't draftable in most fantasy leagues, but with the potential to be a multi-category contributor later in the year, fantasy managers should keep an eye on the 21-year-old's progress once the season gets underway.

Yesterday

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal Could Make Another Start in World Baseball Classic

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal could continue pitching with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic tournament. The original plan was for Skubal to pitch against Great Britain and then return to the Tigers camp. After Saturday's start, Skubal expressed interest in continuing to pitch with Team USA after feeling great emotion when pitching for his home country. Skubal would need approval from both his agent and the Tigers organization to continue playing in the WBC. It would be a huge boost for Team USA if the superstar southpaw is allowed to continue pitching with the team.

2 days ago

Josue Briceño • C • Tigers

Josue Briceno has Wrist Surgery, Expected to Miss Multiple Months

Detroit Tigers catching prospect Josue Briceno (wrist) had right-wrist surgery to fix something called the "extensor carpi ulnaris subsheath," and he's expected to be out for multiple months, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Briceno injured his wrist in a Grapefruit League game last weekend and is now looking at an extended absence in 2026. When he recovers from his wrist surgery, he will likely report to Double-A Erie to continue his development in the minor leagues. The 21-year-old Venezuelan backstop hit .266/.383/.500 with an .883 OPS, 20 home runs, 76 RBI, and 60 runs scored in 100 games with Erie and High-A West Michigan last year. Per MLB Pipeline, Briceno is the team's No. 4 prospect. He could eventually be moved to first base long-term. Briceno might be a long shot now to make his MLB debut in 2026.

4 days ago

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Making Strong Case to Crack Opening Day Roster

Detroit Tigers top prospect Kevin McGonigle has made a strong case through the opening weeks of spring training to begin the regular season on the MLB roster. The No. 2-ranked prospect in the sport (on MLB.com), trialing only Pittsburgh's Konnor Griffin, has posted an elite .400/.471/.667 slash line with two doubles, one triple, and one stolen base over just six games. Even though McGonigle has yet to play a game at Triple-A, the budding star is looking quite comfortable against MLB-caliber pitching. Last summer, McGonigle spent most of his time at High-A and Double-A, where he held a cumulative .309/.411/.596 line with a 1.007 OPS, 19 HRs, and 10 SBs over 82 games. If he continues this pace in spring training, he could win the starting shortstop job over Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry.

5 days ago

Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Can Be a Late-Round Value Pick

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize finally had a healthy season in 2025, and the No. 1 overall pick from the 2018 MLB Draft had his best season in the majors. He went 14-6 in his 28 starts with a 3.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 3.89 FIP, while totaling 139 strikeouts over 149 innings. Mize doesn't pick up enough strikeouts to be an elite starting option, but he should open the season as the Tigers' fifth starter behind Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, and Justin Verlander. With a good lineup behind him, he can be a solid source of wins, ERA, and innings if he stays healthy again this season, which will be his last year before becoming a free agent for the first time in his career. He is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 104 starting pitcher, but his ADP (average draft position) has him even lower than that, so if you need a late-round depth option to help round out your staff, Mize has a high floor with enough upside to make him a good value consideration, especially if you have high-strikeout, high-risk options elsewhere in your rotation.

7 days ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal Scheduled to Throw Around 55 Pitches Against Great Britain

Detroit Tigers two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is expected to throw around 55 pitches for Team USA against Team Great Britain in the second game of the World Baseball Classic before returning to Lakeland, Fla., to rejoin the Tigers in camp, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Skubal is coming off another heavy workload last year, so he'll only pitch in one game in the WBC before heading back to spring training. The 29-year-old left-hander will be the No. 1 pitcher off the board in fantasy drafts after a second straight dominant year as the Tigers' ace, going 13-6 with a league-best 2.21 ERA and league-best 0.89 WHIP with 241 strikeouts and only 33 walks in 195 1/3 innings over 31 regular-season starts. He picked up where he left off in his first Grapefruit League start against the Twins, in which he allowed two hits over two scoreless innings while striking out four.

Mar 2

Beau Brieske • RP • Tigers

Beau Brieske Exits With Rib-Cage Injury

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Beau Brieske (ribs) was forced to make an early exit from Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Atlanta Braves. Brieske was pulled after three pitches due to right ribcage tightness. This was his first appearance of the spring after being sidelined due to back spasms earlier in camp. The Tigers will have Brieske undergo further testing, so his timetable to return is unclear at the moment. The right-hander is looking to bounce back after posting an ugly 6.55 ERA across 22 games (one start) with the Tigers last season. He'll likely settle into a middle relief role, assuming he cracks the 26-man roster to begin the season.

Mar 2

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton Needs Extended Rest, Unlikely to be Ready for Opening Day

Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton (elbow) saw a doctor and was recommended to rest for an extended period of time, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. It means that Melton is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season at the end of March. The 25-year-old hadn't pitched in a game this spring due to a right-elbow strain. Melton was sharp in his first 16 major-league outings (four starts) for the Tigers last year, delivering a 2.76 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 36 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 45 2/3 innings, and he was also a key piece for Detroit in the postseason. He'll now begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list, though, and it's unclear exactly when he might be an option to help the big-league pitching staff. Melton is a promising young arm in the Tigers' system, but he's likely to face workload restrictions.

Feb 27

Colin Poche • RP • Tigers

Tigers Sign Colin Poche to Minor-League Deal

The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent left-hander Colin Poche to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. Poche spent most of last year in the Mets' minor league system, going 0-1 with a 4.82 ERA and 6.12 FIP in 18 2/3 innings at Triple-A Syracuse. He started the season with the Nationals, posting an ugly 11.42 ERA and 6.48 FIP in 8 2/3 innings across 13 games in March and April. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw missed 2020 and 2021 due to Tommy John surgery, but he showed some promise as a lefty out of the bullpen after recovering from the injury, producing a 3.27 ERA (4.16 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, 10 saves, 158 strikeouts, and 59 walks over 156 2/3 relief frames in three seasons with the Rays. He'll provide some left-handed depth in the bullpen for the Tigers coming into the season and will likely start the season in Triple-A. While he has bounce-back potential, he is not on the fantasy radar for now.

Feb 26

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton Dealing With Arm Soreness

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that right-hander Troy Melton (arm) is dealing with some arm soreness in camp, which is why he hasn't gotten a Grapefruit League start yet in spring training, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. The Tigers are giving Melton some time for the soreness to subside. For now, it's something to monitor with the 25-year-old, who will most likely be ticketed to start the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo, even if he's fully healthy. The former fourth-rounder in 2022 out of San Diego State University made his major-league debut last year and handled himself nicely, going 3-2 with a 2.76 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 36 strikeouts and 15 walks in 45 2/3 frames over 16 appearances (four starts). His strikeout rate wasn't very impressive (20%), but he was a key arm in the playoffs and should get a look as more of a full-time starter if/when he's back in Detroit in 2026.

Feb 25

Jackson Jobe • SP • Tigers

Jackson Jobe Begins Playing Catch

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Jackson Jobe (elbow) is set to play catch up to 105 feet three times this week, according to MLB.com. The former top pitching prospect is still working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last June. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress, but he still has a long way to go before he is cleared to return to the mound. Before undergoing surgery last season, the former No. 3 overall pick logged 49 innings in Detroit while posting a 4.22 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. During this stint, Jobe struck out only 39 hitters and held a high 12.4% walk rate. In 2024, Jobe flashed high upside in the minor leagues, logging 91 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.36 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 96:45 K:BB. Given his current trajectory, Jobe may contend for a late-season return.

Feb 25

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Expected to be Ready for Opening Day

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (elbow) is working through a return-to-play throwing progression this week and is quickly approaching his return. The backstop is expected to be a full-go for Opening Day. Dingler had a delayed start to the offseason after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in January. Managers should continue to monitor the 27-year-old's status, but he appears well-positioned to avoid a delayed start to the regular season. Last summer, Dingler spent the entire campaign in the majors and did not disappoint, posting a .278/.327/.425 line with 21 doubles and 13 home runs. Under the hood, Dingler generated an elite .290 xBA with a 42.3% LA sweet-spot%, which placed him in the 98th percentile among qualified hitters. When active, managers should expect Dingler to carry solid No. 2 catcher upside, as he should see most of the starting opportunities in Detroit.

Feb 25

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal to Make One Start in World Baseball Classic

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal confirmed on Monday that he will only make one start for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Skubal has been the best pitcher in baseball the last two years, winning back-to-back American League Cy Young awards while going a combined 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA (2.47 FIP), 0.91 WHIP, 469 strikeouts, and only 68 walks in 387 1/3 innings over 62 regular-season starts. He threw 216 innings last year between the regular season and playoffs, so he won't be pushed in the WBC or in spring training. Skubal is the top fantasy starting pitcher and will be a must-start in his first start of the regular season in 2026 in San Diego against the San Diego Padres in late March.

Feb 23

Jack Flaherty • SP • Tigers

Can Jack Flaherty Bounce Back After 2025 Struggles?

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty struggled throughout most of the 2025 season, finishing the year with an 8-15 record, 4.64 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 188 strikeouts across 161 innings pitched (31 starts). With a 27.6% strikeout rate, the 30-year-old still provided fantasy managers with plenty of whiffs. However, his walk rate jumped from 5.9% in 2024 to 8.7% in 2025, and he allowed a 10.3% barrel rate, the worst mark of his career. Flaherty has an established issue with allowing home runs, as he has logged a HR/9 of 1.29 or worse in each of the past two seasons. If his walk rate continues to climb towards the double-digits, he may have a difficult time keeping his ERA to a manageable number. Detroit owes Flaherty $20 million in 2026, so his spot in the rotation should be secure as long as he stays healthy. Flaherty's ability to rack up strikeouts gives him fantasy appeal as long as he remains in a high-volume role. However, Flaherty has posted an ERA north of 4.60 in two of his last three seasons and represents real risk in the ERA and WHIP categories for fantasy managers.

Feb 21

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Starting at Shortstop in Grapefruit League Opener

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle is starting at shortstop and is hitting second in the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the New York Yankees, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The Tigers have moved McGonigle around to third and second base in camp to increase his chances of making the Opening Day roster, but shortstop remains the focus for the 21-year-old long-term, and it's his clearest path to regular playing time in the big leagues in 2026. McGonigle is the consensus No. 2 prospect in baseball, behind only the Pirates' Konnor Griffin, due to his elite ability to make contact and drive the ball with authority. Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry are better suited for utility roles than for regular duties at the 6, so if McGonigle handles himself well in spring training games, he's likely to win the starting job at short. He hit .305/.408/.583 with 19 home runs and 10 steals in 88 games in three minor-league stops last year and should be drafted in all single-year fantasy leagues.

Feb 21

Sawyer Gipson-Long • SP • Tigers

Sawyer Gipson-Long to Throw a Bullpen on Friday

Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in camp on Friday, according to Evan Petzold of MLive.com. Gipson-Long is battling through a left-oblique injury in spring training, but barring a setback, he should be ready for Opening Day in late March. The 28-year-old missed all of the 2024 season after having Tommy John surgery, and he returned last year to record a rough 7.18 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and only six walks in 31 1/3 innings pitched over eight appearances (three starts) at the big-league level. He also dealt with some neck problems last year, so injuries have been an issue. For now, Gipson-Long is off the fantasy baseball radar in single-year leagues, and he'll likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo. However, when healthy, he throws strikes and can generate whiffs with his offspeed pitches.

Feb 20

Trey Sweeney • SS • Tigers

Trey Sweeney Dealing With Shoulder Strain

The Detroit Tigers have paused shortstop Trey Sweeney's (shoulder) throwing activities in camp due to a right-shoulder strain, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Sweeney's injury doesn't mean he won't be ready in time for Opening Day in late March, but it definitely hurts his chances of winning a big-league roster spot out of camp. The 25-year-old has struggled to hit at the big-league level since debuting with the Tigers in 2024, slashing .202/.261/.313 with a .573 OPS, 10 home runs, 49 RBI, and a 124:33 K:BB in 445 plate appearances. He's probably fourth in the pecking order at shortstop this spring, behind prospect Kevin McGonigle, Javier Baez, and Zach McKinstry. Sweeney doesn't have enough power at the plate to be a realistic fantasy option, and he looked overmatched offensively in 2025.

Feb 20

Detroit Tigers News

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