Detroit Tigers News

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Eduardo Valencia • C • Tigers

Tigers Promote Catching Prospect Eduardo Valencia, Worth a Deep-League Pickup?

The Detroit Tigers recalled catching prospect Eduardo Valencia from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, with primary catcher Dillon Dingler injuring his thumb on Wednesday, according to Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase. Valencia, 26, is considered the Tigers' No. 21 prospect per MLB Pipeline, and he will join the major-league squad for the first time after slashing .267/.353/.486 with an .840 OPS, 16 home runs, 49 RBI, 56 runs scored, and a stolen base in 76 games and 331 plate appearances this year with the Mud Hens. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has successfully added more lift to his swing this year, but he's still a work in progress as a defensive backstop. For the time being, he'll provide Detroit with some extra catching depth to close out the first half of the regular season with Dingler banged up. Dingler's thumb injury isn't considered very serious, though, so we doubt that Valencia will see much playing time before next week's All-Star break. For now, he's merely a catching prospect to watch in dynasty/keeper leagues for his power from the right side.

18 hours ago

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Out on Thursday, Considered Day-to-Day

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (thumb) is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the visiting Athletics, but he said his hand feels "10 times better" than it did on Wednesday, according to Tigers reporter Logan Reever. The All-Star catcher will be day-to-day as the team waits for the swelling in his right thumb to go down. Detroit is encouraged about a quick return, possibly on Friday for the series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jake Rogers will do the catching for left-hander Framber Valdez in the series finale against the A's on Thursday and will hit eighth against left-hander Jose Suarez. Dingler departed Wednesday's game early after a foul tip hit his thumb, but thankfully, X-rays came back clean, and he could play again this weekend before next week's All-Star break. The 27-year-old right-handed-hitting backstop is rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues thanks to a breakout 2026 campaign. Dingler came into Thursday with a .264/.325/.516 slash line, .841 OPS, 19 home runs, 60 RBI, and 48 runs scored across 318 at-bats in his second full season in the majors.

21 hours ago

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Pulled With Thumb Injury

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (thumb) left Wednesday's game against the Athletics early. Dingler took a foul tip off his right thumb during the first inning of this contest. The Tigers decided to play it safe and pull Dingler out of the game for precautionary reasons. The expectation is that Dingler is headed for X-rays so that the team can rule out any significant injuries. The 27-year-old was named to the American League All-Star team recently, so hopefully he'll be ready to go for that. Jake Rogers took over behind the plate and figures to see a bulk of the time behind the plate while Dingler is down. UPDATE: X-rays on Dingler's right hand came back negative, per The Detroit News' Chris McCosky.

Yesterday

Thayron Liranzo • C • Tigers

Thayron Liranzo Won't Play in All-Star Futures Game With Thumb Injury

Detroit Tigers catcher Thayron Liranzo (finger) won't be available to play during the upcoming All-Star Futures Game on Sunday. Liranzo is currently on the 7-day Injured List due to a left index finger laceration that required stitches. The organization doesn't believe that Liranzo has progressed enough to allow him to play in Sunday's Futures Game. He has been replaced by infielder Max Anderson from the team's Triple-A Toledo roster. The expectation is that Liranzo will return to action shortly after the break. He's slashing .211/343/429 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 201 plate appearances at Double-A this season. The Tigers viewed Liranzo as a key piece to the future, but he still needs more time to develop his game.

Yesterday

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander to Retire Following the Season

Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hamstring, hip) announced on his X account that he will hang up his cleats and retire following the 2026 season. The 43-year-old former MVP, three-time Cy Young winner, and nine-time All-Star will certainly be in the Hall of Fame down the road, but he has struggled with multiple injuries in 2026 and has only made one start in his return to Detroit. And in his lone start this year, Verlander allowed five earned runs while walking two and striking out just one in 3 2/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He'll be present in Philadelphia for next week's All-Star festivities as a "Legend Pick," but he won't be active while on the 60-day injured list due to a left-hamstring injury that he suffered on June 17 while throwing a bullpen. He was initially placed on the IL on April 4 with hip inflammation. It's unclear when Verlander will make his way back to the Tigers' big-league roster, but if he does, it might be in a bullpen role. He's the current MLB leader in games started (556), wins (266), and strikeouts (3,554). With his career coming to a close, Verlander is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.

2 days ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal Given 85 Percent Chance of Being Traded

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan list the chances of Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal being traded at this year's deadline at 85%. Many were wondering if Skubal's trade value would tank after he had surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow, but he returned swiftly and is already hitting 99.9 mph with his fastball, so those concerns have been answered. Considering the hole the Tigers have dug for themselves -- they are 6.5 games back in the American League Central division and five games back of the final AL wild-card spot -- "they are far more likely than not to move Skubal." The two-time AL Cy Young winner (in back-to-back years) is the "dream deadline candidate" as an ace who has the potential to carry a team in the playoffs. But whoever lands Skubal will "pay an enormous price." Despite his elbow setback, the 29-year-old southpaw is still the same elite pitcher who relies on a mid-to-high-90s fastball with one of the best changeups in the league. ESPN lists Skubal's best fits as the Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Rays. Through 12 starts and 70 2/3 innings this year, Skubal is 5-4 with a 3.06 ERA (3.13 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 84 K's and 10 walks.

2 days ago

Kyle Finnegan • RP • Tigers

Kyle Finnegan Worth Stashing as a Long-Term Saves Source?

Across 41 1/3 innings (39 games) so far in 2026, Detroit Tigers right-hander Kyle Finnegan has recorded a 2.18 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 31 strikeouts, and one save. The veteran reliever has mostly been deployed in a setup role by Detroit, limiting his utility to fantasy managers. Finnegan's underlying metrics are also worrying, as he's logged just an 18.1% strikeout rate while walking 14.6% of the batters he's faced. Still, Tigers closer Kenley Jansen has been shaky this season, as he's pitched to a 4.98 ERA and has blown four saves in 14 opportunities. With 113 saves in 385 career MLB appearances, Finnegan has plenty of closer experience and could be the Tigers' preferred option if the team eventually decides to move away from Jansen. In deeper league formats, Finnegan could be worth stashing off the waiver wire for his long-term saves upside.

2 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Continues to Produce at Triple-A, is He a Must-Stash?

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has shown off his impressive skillset over the past few weeks at Triple-A Toledo, hitting .316 with four doubles, two home runs, seven steals, and a 9:8 BB:K over his last 18 games for the Mud Hens. The surge has pushed his season-long slash line to .265/.350/.392 with six home runs and 19 steals, while drawing nearly as many walks (38) as strikeouts (51). The Tigers' top-ranked prospect has shown a keen eye and strong ability to make contact, with chase, whiff, and zone-contact rates all coming in at 85th percentile or better. He may grow into more power, but with a max exit velocity this season of 111.3 (83rd percentile), there is plenty of pop in his bat. The former third-overall draft pick looks ready for a test in the majors, but the organization has made it clear that they're in no rush to bring him up. Still, with a potential debut by August, the left-handed slugger remains one of the top bats to stash for his ability to be a multi-category contributor for fantasy.

3 days ago

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Hasn't Resumed Hitting

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) has been doing work on the base paths, but hasn't resumed hitting yet. Torres landed on the Injured List on June 17 due to an oblique strain. He received a cortisone shot to help his recovery progress, but it has still been slow for Torres. The fact that Torres isn't swinging yet should basically rule him out until after the All-Star break. Once he's able to do that, Torres will likely still need a minor league rehab assignment before he returns to the Tigers' lineup. This is the second time that Torres has suffered this oblique injury this season. The Tigers are likely going to bring him along slowly, so fantasy managers might not see him until closer to August. Zach McKinstry has been getting most of the reps at second base while Torres is out.

5 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Emerging as No. 1 Outfield Prospect to Stash

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has continued to swing a hot bat over the past month and is settling in as a top prospect to stash ahead of Week 15. Over his last 19 games (since June 10), the top-ranked prospect in the Detroit system has posted a strong .293/.363/.415 line with four doubles, two home runs, and five stolen bases. Prior to this recent surge at the dish, the former No. 3 overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft posted a lower .253/.345/.385 line with a modest .727 OPS. Seeing Clark not only hit for a higher batting average but also begin to gradually tap into his raw power against the top pitching is an excellent sign for his fantasy outlook. If he maintains this pace, the budding star should compete for a debut shortly after the All-Star break. Heading into Week 15, Clark profiles as a top stash option in all standard leagues.

5 days ago

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton a Strong Waiver-Wire Add for Ratio Help?

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton has given fantasy managers enough reason to stop treating him as a one-start streamer. The 25-year-old blanked the Yankees for 6 1/3 innings on Wednesday, July 1, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out seven. It was his third straight quality start. Over that stretch, Melton has surrendered only two earned runs and five hits with an 18:4 K:BB across 18 1/3 innings. He is now 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.80 WHIP through 44 frames. Melton is not overpowering, as his 19.2% strikeout rate sits below league average, and seven home runs allowed help explain his 3.07 xERA. Still, a 6.0% walk rate and 35.0% hard-hit rate give the strong results some substance. RotoBaller's Week 14 rankings list him at 42% rostered and recommend an add in 12-team leagues. That is the right range, particularly with a projected home matchup against the Athletics next.

6 days ago

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter a Must-Add Power Bat in 10-Team Leagues?

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter has been doing exactly what fantasy managers need from a power bat. The Detroit Tigers outfielder is hitting .232/.306/.492 with 13 home runs, 36 RBI, and 22 runs across 185 at-bats. His latest surge included the Tigers' first grand slam of the season on June 27 and another homer three days later. Carpenter has also backed up the results with a 10.6% barrel rate and 46.9% hard-hit rate. The only real drawback is his limited work against left-handed pitching. Carpenter has just 17 at-bats versus southpaws, while all 13 of his homers have come against right-handers. That makes him easier to manage in daily-lineup leagues, but the platoon risk is not enough to erase the power value. RotoBaller recommends him in leagues with 10 or more teams, and he is still only 41% rostered on Yahoo. Managers looking for home runs and RBI should add him now.

6 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Emerging as a Must-Stash Prospect

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark is holding his own in his first Triple-A season. MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall prospect is hitting .261 with six home runs, 32 RBI, 50 runs, and 17 stolen bases through 295 at-bats for Toledo. Clark has also kept his strikeout rate below 15%, which matters for a 21-year-old whose speed could make an immediate fantasy difference once Detroit calls him up. The only real question is timing. RotoBaller's latest redraft stash rankings place Clark fifth with an August ETA, and the Tigers do not have an obvious everyday opening waiting for him. Clark has reached 8% rostered on Yahoo, but he remains a must-stash in most formats for now, especially leagues with an NA spot.

Jul 2

Keider Montero • SP • Tigers

Keider Montero Continues Dominant Run, Emerging as Worthy Pitcher to Pick Up?

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher/relief pitcher Keider Montero pitched two shutout innings out of the bullpen to earn a win on Wednesday against the Yankees. It was his first appearance since moving to the bullpen after the return of Jack Flaherty last Sunday. The win helped Montero improve to 5-5 with a 3.31 ERA and 3.80 FIP in his 17 games, 15 of which were starts. He has a 1.52 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings in his last five games and has been very effective at limiting damage. Montero doesn't have a spot in the rotation right now, but he's worth a look in deep leagues since he has worked so well in multiple roles recently. He will be a top pickup option in most standard formats if he moves back to the rotation at some point later in the season.

Jul 2

Riley Greene • LF • Tigers

Riley Greene Continues Strong Season With Two Homers on Tuesday

Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene continued to swing the bat well this year in Tuesday's 9-3 victory on the road against the New York Yankees, going 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI and a strikeout to boost his season average to .288 and his OPS to .828. The talented 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is now up to 11 home runs, 37 RBI, 43 runs scored, and a stolen base on the year while posting a .378 on-base percentage and .450 slugging percentage in his 309 at-bats in 2026. It was the two-time All-Star's first multi-home run game of the season in his fifth year in the league. Greene closed out the month of June in style and finished with a .258 average (24-for-93) with seven home runs, two doubles, 12 RBI, and 13 runs scored in 25 games and 109 plate appearances. He doesn't have much upside on the basepaths, with just 15 steals in four-plus MLB seasons, but he has a solid floor everywhere else, and it's encouraging that he's dropped his strikeout rate from a career-high 30.7% last year to 26.9% this year. Continue to roll him out there every day in fantasy lineups.

Jul 1

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton Forcing his Way onto 12-Team Rosters?

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton has settled right back in after missing his June 15 start with lower-back tightness. He is 4-1 with a 2.39 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts over 37 2/3 innings across six starts. Melton has completed at least five innings each time out and allowed only two runs over 12 innings in his first two starts after his back issue. Against the Houston Astros on June 25, he carried a perfect game into the sixth before finishing with one run and six strikeouts over six frames. His strikeout ceiling is the clear concern, with Melton averaging only 5.97 strikeouts per nine innings. His next start against the New York Yankees is a tougher test. Still, his ratios and steady workload are difficult to ignore. Melton carries a 41% Yahoo roster rate, leaving him available in most leagues. He is a worthwhile addition in 12-team formats, though fantasy managers should remain selective with his matchups.

Jun 30

Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Bounces Back With Dominant Outing Against Yankees

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize was in top form on Monday night in the Bronx in the team's 7-3 win over the hosting New York Yankees. Mize cruised through seven shutout innings with only one hit allowed, no walks, and a season-high 10 strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 2.63 and pick up his third win of the 2026 season. It was nice to see from Mize, who had allowed seven earned runs on 14 hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out nine in only 10 1/3 innings in his last two starts against the Houston Astros and Yankees. The 29-year-old former first overall pick out of Auburn University in 2018 has kept the good times rolling in 2026 after making his first All-Star squad in 2025. Mize is now sporting a 2.63 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 68:14 K:BB in 65 innings across his 12 starts, and he also has a career-high strikeout rate in his sixth year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers should be leaving Mize in their starting lineups for his next scheduled outing against a banged-up Texas Rangers club.

Jun 29

Keider Montero • SP • Tigers

Keider Montero Moving to Tigers Bullpen

Detroit Tigers right-hander Keider Montero will shift to his team's bullpen "for now," per Jason Beck of MLB.com. The 25-year-old has made 16 appearances (15 starts) for Detroit so far this season, recording a 4-5 record with a 3.39 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts across 87 2/3 innings. With just a 16.1% strikeout rate, Montero has not provided much swing-and-miss value for fantasy managers. Still, he's limited free passes (5.2% walk rate) and hard contact (7.7% opponent barrel rate). The Tigers have multiple veterans in their current starting rotation who may not be with the team after the trade deadline, which could open the door for Montero to return to a fantasy-relevant role. However, he currently projects for a bulk relief role and can likely be dropped in shallower leagues.

Jun 29

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter a Priority Power Waiver Target Amidst Current Hot Streak

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter enters play on Sunday riding a two-game homer streak and has now hit six home runs in just 71 plate appearances in June. The 28-year-old missed three weeks in May with a shoulder injury after colliding with an outfield wall, but he's begun to heat up since returning. Across 190 plate appearances overall this season, Carpenter is hitting .226/.300/.488 with 12 home runs, 35 RBI, and 20 runs scored. Carpenter's 31.1% strikeout rate limits his batting average upside. His playing time is also limited to a strict big-time platoon role, as he's logged just 16 plate appearances against left-handed pitching in 2026. Still, Carpenter owns a career barrel rate of 12.3% and hit 26 home runs across just 466 plate appearances in 2025. For fantasy managers in need of power, Carpenter is a logical waiver wire target.

Jun 28

Jack Flaherty • SP • Tigers

Jack Flaherty to Officially Return on Sunday Against Astros

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) will officially come off the 15-day injured list to start on Sunday in the series finale against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park, manager A.J. Hinch told Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press. Flaherty has been sidelined since June 13 with an injury to a tendon in his ankle. The 30-year-old veteran has had a frustrating season to this point, leading the league with eight losses while posting a 5.35 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched over his 15 starts in his second year in Detroit. Flaherty sits in just the fourth percentile in hard-hit rate this year, but he's in the 73rd percentile in strikeout rate and didn't allow more than three earned runs in any of his last five starts before going on the IL with his ankle injury. His xERA (4.64) and xwOBA (.334) suggest he's had some bad luck in the first half as well, so Flaherty shouldn't just be blindly avoided in fantasy leagues because of his eight losses and ERA over 5.00.

Jun 27

Detroit Tigers News

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