Detroit Tigers News

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (forearm) is set to be activated from the 60-Day Injured List on Sunday and start for the Tigers in their season finale. The 30-year-old last pitched on July 20 and has been out of action recovering and rehabbing ever since. He has made just two rehab appearances, striking out five batters over 3.2 scoreless innings across various minor league levels. He also tossed a two-inning simulated game last week, giving the Tigers enough confidence to put him on the mound for the final day of the regular season. Should he pitch effectively without any setbacks, this would be a good "peace-of-mind" way to finish the year and head into a normal offseason. The 30-year-old is set to become a free agent this offseason, and a solid performance here would go a long way toward helping him secure his next big contract, wherever that may be.

Detroit Tigers new top outfield prospect Zyhir Hope showed off plenty of promise with Double-A Erie following his trade from the Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal deal. Hope was the headline piece coming back to Detroit after dealing away their ace, and he proved his potential with a massive minor-league season at the Double-A level between the Dodgers and Tigers. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter combined to hit .287 with 29 homers and 111 RBI to go with 86 runs scored and 26 stolen bases. Hope has a 50-grade hit tool with 60-grade power and 55-grade speed. The future is bright for Hope, and he could make his debut with the Tigers in 2027. Expect the five-category skills Hope has shown in the minors to translate to the big leagues, making him a great target for fantasy managers as soon as next season.

Detroit Tigers catcher prospect Josue Briceno overcame wrist surgery and battled a late ankle injury in what was an injury-plagued age 22 minor league season. Briceno combined between four minor-league levels in 2026 to combine for a .250 batting average with nine homers and 29 RBI and 23 runs in 42 total games. Briceno played 15 games at Triple-A Toledo and hit just .196 in a very small sample size. He hit .297 in 17 games at Double-A Erie prior to his call up to Toledo. Briceno is the No. 4 prospect of the Tigers and has a 50-grade hit tool with 60-grade power. The catcher position is in good shape in Detroit with All-Star Dillon Dingler and Eduardo Valencia. Briceno is a power bat with limited speed that could potentially shift to first base or find a spot at DH if needed, but he is still a big part of the future plans for Tigers brass and could make a 2027 debut.

Across 598 plate appearances in 2026, Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler is hitting .244/.304/.450 with 27 home runs, 89 RBI, and 71 runs scored. Overall, the 28-year-old has been one of the better power hitters and run producers at the catcher position in MLB this year. Dingler's strikeout rate is manageable at 22.9%, and he's posted solid barrel (10.0%) and hard-hit (42.7%) rates. However, Dingler's production has slowed down considerably in the second half of the season. After hitting just .173 across 113 plate appearances in August, Dingler has hit .203 with just one home run across his first 63 trips to the plate in September. Entering the final weekend of the regular season, fantasy managers may want to consider going away from Dingler.

Across 40 2/3 innings (eight starts) in 2026, Detroit Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe has recorded a 2-3 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts. Due to his recovery from elbow surgery, the 24-year-old did not make his season debut until early August. Jobe underwhelmed upon his return, logging a 4.63 ERA and an 18.3% strikeout rate across his first five starts. However, the 24-year-old has begun to dominate in his most recent outings. Across his last 17 1/3 innings (three starts), Jobe has recorded a 3.12 ERA and an elite 35.3% strikeout rate while allowing just a 5.9% walk rate. Jobe had previously struggled to generate strikeouts in the big leagues at the same high rates he did in the minors. If he's turning the corner in that department, the hard-throwing righty carries significant upside and profiles as a must-start pitcher in his final scheduled appearance of 2026 against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (forearm) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list to make one more appearance this weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final series of the season, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty has been sidelined since late July with inflammation in his right flexor, and without going on a minor-league rehab assignment, it seems likely that the veteran hurler will be a piggyback option for the Tigers this weekend in a meaningless game for either veteran Justin Verlander or pitching prospect River Ryan. The 30-year-old has gone 3-8 with a 4.59 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with 102 strikeouts and 42 walks in 86 1/3 innings pitched across his 19 starts in 2026 in his second year in Motown. Fantasy managers still fighting for a championship right down to the wire this weekend should not be looking to stream Flaherty against the Bucs.

The Detroit Tigers announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Troy Melton (forearm) on the 15-day injured list with right-arm fatigue and recalled right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. Melton felt something in his right forearm during his final outing of the season on Sunday in an 8-1 loss to the division-rival Chicago White Sox, allowing four earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out four in 3 2/3 innings to pick up his fifth loss of the year. The 25-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2022 from San Diego State University had a strong second season in the majors altogether, going 8-5 with a 2.76 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 94 strikeouts and 37 walks in 114 1/3 innings across his 20 starts. Melton produced an identical 2.76 ERA in his MLB debut in 2025, too, in 16 appearances (four starts) covering 45 2/3 frames. A deep pitch mix with strong command makes Melton an intriguing and ascending young arm for fantasy managers going into the 2027 season.

Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hamstring, hip) is scheduled to come off the 60-day injured list to make one final start for his illustrious career on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Jeff Seidel of The Detroit Free Press. Fantasy managers still competing for a championship in the final week of the regular season will obviously want to stay away, but it is something to watch for baseball fans this weekend in what will be the 43-year-old's final start in the big leagues before he hangs up his cleats. The former MVP, three-time Cy Young winner, and 10-time All-Star has made just one start this year, back on March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, when he allowed five earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out one in just 3 2/3 innings of work. Verlander has been working his way back from hamstring and hip injuries all season, so we should not be expecting much out of him versus the Pirates.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton (forearm) told reporters that he felt tightness in his forearm during his final start of the 2026 season on Sunday in an 8-1 loss to the division-rival Chicago White Sox, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. The 25-year-old only went 3 2/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out four for his fifth loss of the season. It is a disappointing way for Melton to end his year, but the good news is that he said he did not think his forearm tightness was related to the elbow issues he dealt with in the spring. "Yeah, I don't think it's going to be a long-term issue," Melton said. "The stuff is still good. I'm still throwing hard. Just the execution in the last few haven't been great." In his first 16 starts over 97 innings this year, Melton had a stingy 1.86 ERA while holding hitters to a .201 average and .607 OPS. But he struggled to close it out over his final three starts before Sunday's abbreviated outing, allowing 13 runs (11 earned), 18 hits, six walks, and three hit batsmen in 13 2/3 innings. When fully healthy, Melton is an intriguing arm for fantasy managers with a legitimate six-pitch mix and precise command of his four-seam fastball, sinker, and cutter.

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the blockbuster trade involving Tarik Skubal this summer, will make his Tigers debut on Monday and start against the Washington Nationals, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Right-hander Keider Montero will piggyback Ryan. Per MLB Pipeline, the 28-year-old former 11th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2021 is considered the Tigers' No. 3 prospect. He made his major-league debut with the Dodgers in 2024 and looked good in four starts, allowing four runs (three earned), walking nine, and striking out 18 in 20 1/3 innings pitched. Ryan has gone 3-1 on the farm in 2026 with a 4.39 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 47:9 K:BB in 41 innings across 10 starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City and Triple-A Toledo. He missed almost three months earlier this season with a hamstring injury, but he will try to finish off the year on a positive note back in the big leagues. Because Ryan will likely be limited to two or three innings on Monday, he will not be a realistic fantasy streamer in fantasy championship matchups.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hamstring/hip) threw a one-inning, 20-pitch live batting practice session on Friday. The 43-year-old said that he felt great after this successful outing. This was yet another step in the right direction, as it was his first time throwing against live batters. What lies ahead in his progress remains to be seen, as the plan is for him to pitch one final time in his illustrious career on Saturday, September 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Whether or not he is able to throw one inning or more remains questionable, but with him retiring after this season, chances are he will be healthy enough to make that appearance and cap off one of baseball's greatest careers. With 266 wins and 3,554 strikeouts over 21 seasons, the surefire Hall of Famer will be looking to finish his career where it started: in Detroit.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (forearm) threw a two-inning simulated game on Saturday, embarking on what could be the final hurdle before returning to the mound for the Tigers. The 30-year-old has missed the last six weeks because of right forearm flexor inflammation but has made significant strides as of late. Flaherty himself said that he felt great after this outing and is ready to get back on the mound. Whether or not that happens in the coming days remains to be seen, but the fact of the matter is that he is nearing the end of his time on the sidelines. Fantasy managers should be ready to add him to their rosters where possible, but be cognizant of the fact that he may be working out of the bullpen or on a pitch count.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hamstring/hip) took a big step forward in his injury progression on Saturday by facing live batters prior to the team's game against the Colorado Rockies. This marks the first time that the 43-year-old has faced live hitters since he went on the Injured List very early in the season. It is worth noting that the batters who stood in the box did not take any swings, but the fact that they were there marks a significant step in the right direction. Verlander is hoping to cap off his career with one final start on the final weekend of the season. With the Tigers almost out of playoff contention and with potentially nothing to play for, that feels like the perfect sendoff to one of the game's greats. From a fantasy perspective, he is only worth consideration if he does, in fact, return, but there's no guarantee that he makes it back in time to pitch again.

Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle has had an excellent rookie season in 2026, slashing .273/.373/.420 with 16 home runs, 62 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 635 plate appearances. The 22-year-old has been remarkably consistent for a young player thanks to his elite plate approach, as he's logged nearly as many walks (86) as strikeouts (87) this year. McGonigle profiles as a contact-over-power bat, logging middling barrel (7.0%) and hard-hit (36.4%) rates. However, the young infielder has been hot of late, slugging two home runs in his last 13 plate appearances. Even without a late-season power surge, McGonigle's everyday presence at the top of the Tigers lineup and his balanced production profile make him a high-end infield option for fantasy managers.

Across 134 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in late July, Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark is hitting .258/.326/.417 with two home runs, 16 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 21-year-old has not demonstrated much power at the big-league level just yet, posting just a 1.1% barrel rate and a 38.9% hard-hit rate. However, Clark has established himself as Detroit's everyday center fielder with his high-end defense, which should keep him in the lineup on an everyday basis. The young outfielder showed off some five-category upside in the minor leagues this season before his promotion, hitting .276 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases at Triple-A. Clark posted a 12% walk rate in the minors in 2026 and a 17.6% walk rate in the minors in 2025. If he can get on base a bit more consistently down the stretch this season, Clark's speed could start to show up at the big-league level as well. Fantasy managers looking for upside on the waiver wire should consider adding Clark.

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope is off to an excellent start to his career in the Tigers system after a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal deal. Hope has been off to a red-hot start with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, with five homers and 20 RBI in 25 games in Erie to go with a .263 batting average and 16 runs with six stolen bases. The 20-year-old left-handed hitter is the No. 2 prospect in the Tigers system behind only Max Clark and was the headliner coming back in the Skubal trade. Prior to the trade, Hope had 23 homers and 87 RBI for Double-A Tulsa in the Dodgers' system with 18 stolen bases and a .283 batting average. Hope has elite five-category skills and is graded out with a 50-grade hit tool, 60-grade power, and 55-grade speed. While he might be a year or two away from the big leagues, Hope looks like a future fantasy stud.

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Max Anderson has had a very consistent 2026 season in the minors, hitting .303 between Triple-A Toledo and Single-A Lakeland. Anderson missed some time in April with an undisclosed injury but has combined between the two minor league levels to hit 16 homers with 56 RBI with 64 runs scored in 389 at bats. The 24-year-old is the No. 11 prospect in the Tigers system and has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power. The Tigers recently called up infielder John Peck ahead of Anderson so it is still a question mark whether Detroit will turn to Anderson prior to the end of this season. He has largely proven himself in the minors this year and would be a good addition to fantasy teams in terms of batting average and runs scored plus a little bit of pop in his bat.

Detroit Tigers pitching prospect River Ryan (hamstring) continues his rehab process with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and has yet to pitch for the Tigers organization since his trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal deal. Ryan continues to work his way back from a right hamstring injury and hopes to join the Tigers big league club once fully healthy. The 28-year-old pitched to a 3-1 record with Triple-A Oklahoma City prior to the trade, with a 4.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched. Ryan checks in as the No. 4 prospect in the Tigers system and features a 65-grade fastball with a 60-grade slider and a 55-grade curveball. Ryan has brief major league experience with the Dodgers back in 2024 but has not pitched in the majors since then. Look for Ryan to be a decent stash candidate in hopes that he makes a start or two with Detroit this season.

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has been hit or miss in his first 30 major-league games since making his debut on July 31 against the Athletics with a 3-for-4 performance with two doubles, an RBI, and a run scored. The 21-year-old former third overall pick in 2023 came into Thursday's slate with a .257 average (27-for-105) with two home runs, seven doubles, three triples, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored, a stolen base, nine walks, and 25 strikeouts in 118 plate appearances. The left-handed-hitting outfielder came into Wednesday's game against the division-rival Minnesota Twins with a .179 average over his previous 10 games, but he reminded us why he has plenty of upside to close out the 2026 campaign with a 3-for-4 performance with three doubles, an RBI, three runs scored, and two walks. Clark became the first Tigers player with three doubles in a game since Miguel Cabrera did it in 2018. The Tigers' top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has high-end power-speed potential and is only rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues. There will be growing pains, but fantasy managers should ride the upside.

Detroit Tigers catcher/first base prospect Josue Briceno (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Toledo with an undisclosed injury. He looked to have injured his ankle trying to get back to second base and subsequently had to leave the game this past Sunday, so it could be related to that. Regardless, it has all but guaranteed that the Tigers' fifth-ranked prospect will not debut in 2026. It has been a rough year anyway, with the left-handed hitter being limited to 42 total games due to injuries, only 15 of which came with the Mud Hens, where he hit .196 with zero home runs and a 32.2 percent strikeout rate. The 6-foot-4 slugger will hopefully be healthy to begin 2027 and could make a case for an MLB debut, but for now, the 21-year-old can be left on the waiver wire in redraft leagues.