Detroit Tigers News

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Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Looks Like a Steady Source of Batting Average Early in 2026

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith has established himself as a key piece of his team's lineup early in 2026, hitting .317/.348/.429 with zero home runs, five RBI, and 10 runs scored across his first 66 plate appearances. Keith hasn't hit for much power in the early going, but his excellent 58.3% hard-hit rate supports his strong batting average. While Keith is looking like a potential breakout candidate early on this season, it's worth noting that he's logged just two plate appearances against left-handed pitching so far this year. Still, even in a platoon role, Keith profiles as a potentially valuable source of batting average for fantasy managers. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Keith could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

21 hours ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal Fans 10 in Win Over Red Sox on Saturday

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal looked to be in Cy Young form on Saturday night in the team's 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Skubal allowed only one earned run on four hits while walking two and striking out 10 batters in six innings to pick up his third win of the 2026 season. The talented left-hander was in top form in Beantown, retiring 12 of the first 13 batters he faced in the game, including striking out the side in two of his first four innings. The 29-year-old former ninth-rounder in 2018 out of Seattle University is showing why he's won back-to-back American League Cy Young awards. Through his first five starts in 2026, Skubal is 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA (2.07 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, and 33:6 K:BB in 30 1/3 innings pitched. He's currently tied for the fourth-most strikeouts in the AL. Skubal was the first pitcher off the board in fantasy drafts, and he'll be a must-start again in his next scheduled outing at home in Detroit against the Milwaukee Brewers.

21 hours ago

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Swinging a Hot Bat Recently, Becoming a Must-Add Catcher?

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler has been hot recently, collecting a hit in five of his last nine games with two home runs and seven RBI during that stretch. Overall, Dingler is slashing .259/.348/.517 with four home runs, 14 RBI, and nine runs over 18 games. The 27-year-old has seen increases across the board in xBA (.328) and xSLG (.694), and his HardHit% (59.1%). His K% (18.2%) has decreased by about five points from 2025 (23.5%). For fantasy managers needing catcher help, Dingler is emerging as an add candidate in leagues with 12 teams or more. He is currently rostered in 37% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is 57th overall in the latest RotoBaller waiver rankings for Week 3.

Yesterday

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark with Another Multi-Hit Performance, Toolsy Outfielder is a Must-Stash

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has been showing why he was a third-overall draft pick back in 2023, consistently climbing the ranks of the Tigers' farm system and proving he's not overmatched whatsoever at Triple-A thus far in 2025. The Tigers' second-ranked prospect (soon to be top-ranked with the eventual graduation of Kevin McGonigle) has tallied six multi-hit performances over his last 10 games, and is now hitting .356, slugging .525, and owns a .437 on-base percentage thanks to a robust 14.1 percent walk rate. What's more is that the left-handed slugger has just an 8.5 percent strikeout rate and has swiped six bases. He's played just 15 games at Triple-A, but soon there won't be much left to prove, and a debut in the majors is drawing nearer and nearer. With a fantasy-friendly combination of contact, power, and speed, the 21-year-old is a worthy stash candidate in all formats.

3 days ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander's Recovery Going Slower Than Expected

Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. However, Verlander's recovery is "going a little slower than I think he anticipated or we anticipated," manager A.J. Hinch said. The Tigers will continue to take the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer's recovery on a day-by-day basis. Verlander is currently on the 15-day injured list with a left-hip injury, and his return to Detroit's starting rotation doesn't appear to be on the horizon. In his lone start this year in his return to the Tigers, Verlander gave up five runs on six hits while walking two and striking out just one in 3 2/3 innings versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30. Keider Montero has pitched well early on in 2026 and will continue to make starts for the Tigers in Verlander's place. Verlander isn't the dominant arm that we've come to know from the peak of his career, and his ability to stay healthy the rest of the way is a big question mark.

3 days ago

Zach McKinstry • 3B • Tigers

Zach McKinstry to Go for More Testing

Detroit Tigers infielder Zach McKinstry (hip) is "not moving around well" on Thursday, and "we're going to continue to get him looked at," manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. McKinstry is beat up right now, also dealing with an arm/shoulder injury and a scraped chest after he collided with Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone in Wednesday's contest. He is not in Detroit's starting lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Royals, and he could be forced to the 10-day injured list, depending on what his test results show. In addition to his injuries, the 30-year-old is hitting just .209 (9-for-43) with a homer, five RBI, two runs, three walks, and 10 strikeouts in his first 14 games of the 2026 season. McKinstry was a first-time All-Star in 2025, slashing .259/.333/.438 with a .771 OPS, 12 home runs, 49 RBI, 19 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 144 games played. With infield prospect Kevin McGonigle now in Detroit to stay, McKinstry's opportunities at the 6 will be less frequent.

3 days ago

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Tigers, Kevin McGonigle Agree to Eight-Year Contract Extension

The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that they have agreed with infield prospect Kevin McGonigle on an eight-year contract extension worth $150 million guaranteed. The deal will begin next year and will cover the 2027 through 2034 seasons, which includes McGonigle's final five seasons of club control, plus his first three years of free agency. Contract escalators in the final three seasons of the deal could bring the total value to a maximum of $160 million. The 21-year-old entered this year as the No. 2 overall prospect in all of baseball, behind only Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin. He earned Arizona Fall League MVP honors and then made the big-league club out of spring training this year. McGonigle is one of only 10 position players in all of baseball to have a 1.1 bWAR or better, and he enters Wednesday's action with a .311 average (19-for-61) with a .417 on-base percentage and .492 slugging percentage. He has reached base safely in 13 straight starts and in 15 of 16 starts overall. McGonigle is one of only 10 big-leaguers with more walks (11) than strikeouts (eight) in his first 17 games. He's the real deal and is here to stay.

4 days ago

Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Gets Rare Day Off on Tuesday

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Fantasy managers don't need to panic as this appears to be a rare rest day for Keith. The Tigers will opt to go with Javier Baez at shortstop and Kevin McGonigle at the hot corner with tough lefty Cole Ragans on the mound for Kansas City. The expectation is that Keith will be back in the lineup on Wednesday. Keith has been great with the bat, slashing .340/.375/.472 through 15 games this season.

5 days ago

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Flashing High-End Upside Early in 2026

Across his first 53 plate appearances of 2026, Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler is hitting .250/.353/.477 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored. The 27-year-old emerged as the starting catcher in Detroit with a breakout season in 2025, hitting .278 with 13 home runs across 469 plate appearances. Dingler's underlying metrics are even stronger in a small sample size this season, as he's posted a 16.7% barrel rate and 52.8% hard-hit rate. Dingler has also cut his strikeout rate from 23.5% to 18.9%. If Dingler's current batting average on balls in play of .258 regresses closer to the .345 mark he posted in 2025, he could be on the verge of emerging as a high-end starting fantasy catcher. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Dingler profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

6 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Not Slowing Down at Triple-A, Path to MLB Debut Remains Clear

Detroit Tigers top prospect Max Clark has yet to slow down during his first taste of Triple-A and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. After spending most of the 2025 campaign with High-A and Double-A, the Tigers opted to send their No.1 outfield prospect to Triple-A to begin the 2026 campaign. Through his first 14 games with Toledo, the former third overall pick has produced at an elite level, holding a .352/.439/.537 slash line with a .976 OPS. Even though Clark has yet to go deep, the outfielder has tallied eight doubles, while swiping six bags and holding a 5:10 K:BB. Last week, starting outfielder Parker Meadows (arm) hit the injured list, but the Tigers opted to promote Wenceel Perez, not Clark, to the MLB roster. Despite this, if Clark continues this trajectory, he could be in the mix to debut in the coming weeks, which makes him a high-end hitter to stash in all 12+ team, five-outfielder leagues.

7 days ago

Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Emerging as a Viable Source of Batting Average

Across his first 47 plate appearances of 2026, Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith is hitting .364/.404/.500 with zero home runs, three RBI, and eight runs scored. While Keith has yet to homer, six of his 16 hits have gone for extra bases, and he's posted a ridiculous 61.8% hard-hit rate. Keith's batting average has been inflated by his unsustainable .471 batting average on balls in play. His current strikeout rate of 21.3% is right in line with the 21.8% mark he posted in 2025 while hitting .256. Still, if Keith can continue to consistently make hard contact, he could emerge as a viable source of batting average for fantasy managers. The 24-year-old has also earned a spot in the top third of the Tigers' order against right-handed pitching, which should help him rack up counting stats. In leagues where he is not currently rostered, Keith is a name to target on the waiver wire.

Apr 11

Wenceel Pérez • RF • Tigers

Wenceel Perez Recalled by Tigers

Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take the active roster spot of injured outfielder Parker Meadows (arm, concussion), according to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen. The 26-year-old Perez could be worth a look in AL-only fantasy leagues because he could see considerable playing time in center field with Meadows facing a lengthy absence. The Dominican has hit .243/.304/.405 with a .709 OPS, 22 home runs, 80 RBI, 98 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 212 games over his first two seasons in the big leagues in Motown. Last year, he had 13 home runs, 43 RBI, 47 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 383 plate appearances over 100 games played. Perez offers modest power and speed, but he'll need to produce to avoid falling into a full-time bench role, even with Meadows out for a lengthy period of time.

Apr 10

Parker Meadows • CF • Tigers

Parker Meadows Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Broken Arm, Concussion

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (arm, concussion) is going on the 10-day injured list on Friday after being diagnosed with a broken left arm (radius bone) and a concussion, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Meadows also received five stitches in his cheek. He has been cleared to travel and should be back in Detroit in the next day or two. Meadows had a scary collision with outfielder Riley Greene in Thursday's loss to the Minnesota Twins, and now he's in line for a lengthy absence. The Tigers recalled Wenceel Perez from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move, and he, Javier Baez, and Matt Vierling could battle for playing time in center field with Meadows out. In his first 12 games in 2026, Meadows hit .250 (9-for-36) with no homers, two RBI, three runs scored, and three stolen bases. Fantasy managers looking for versatility and depth in deeper leagues should consider picking up Perez.

Apr 10

Parker Meadows • CF • Tigers

Parker Meadows Leaves After Scary Outfield Collision on Thursday

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (head) was carted off the field in the eighth inning at Target Field on Thursday after a scary collision in the outfield with left fielder Riley Greene, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Meadows was sitting up and was alert as he was being carted off, but he'll surely be put through the league's concussion protocol and could end up landing on the seven-day concussion injured list. The 26-year-old came into Thursday's game hitting .273 (9-for-33) with two RBI, three runs scored, and three stolen bases in his first 11 games, and he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout on Thursday before being pulled from the game. Matt Vierling could see the biggest playing time bump in Detroit if Meadows is forced to the IL. At the very least, we wouldn't expect Meadows to be back in the starting lineup in Friday's series opener at Comerica Park against the visiting Miami Marlins.

Apr 9

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Taking a Seat Thursday

Detroit Tigers rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's game in Minnesota against the division-rival Twins, according to MLB.com. It will be the first day off of the season for McGonigle, who has looked like a seasoned veteran in his first 12 games. McGonigle is hitting .292 (14-for-48) in the early going with five doubles, a triple, seven RBI, seven runs scored, a stolen base, six walks, and seven strikeouts in 54 plate appearances. Javier Baez will start at shortstop on Thursday and will hit seventh for the Tigers against Twins right-hander Mick Abel. McGonigle's power might be slower to develop than the rest of his skills now that he's in the big leagues, but his hot start and regular role make him attractive in all fantasy formats in his rookie campaign. Baez has never faced Abel in his career and will make for a low-upside DFS play near the bottom of Detroit's batting order.

Apr 9

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Is Tarik Skubal's Early-Season Strikeout Rate a Cause for Concern?

Across his first 17 2/3 innings pitched (three starts) of 2026, Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal has recorded a 1-2 record with a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts. While Skubal's top-line numbers are still very strong, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner hasn't quite found his fully dominant form yet this season. After posting strikeout rates north of 30% in each of the past three seasons, Skubal has struck out just 22.5% of the batters he's faced so far in 2026. Still, Skubal has issued just two walks on the year and is averaging 97.6 mph on his fastball, right in line with where he's been in previous campaigns. The 29-year-old will also get a chance to make his first home start of the year in his next time out against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. Skubal remains an elite starting pitcher option for fantasy managers in 2026.

Apr 8

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter Back From Illness

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (illness) is feeling better and is starting in right field and batting cleanup for Detroit on Wednesday on the road against the division-rival Minnesota Twins and right-hander Bailey Ober, according to MLB.com. Carpenter didn't start in each of the last two games due to a stomach illness, but he was used as a pinch-hitter on Tuesday. Now that the 28-year-old left-handed hitter is feeling better, he'll attempt to dig himself out of an early-season funk at the plate. The former 19th-round pick in 2019 has gone 6-for-32 (.188) with two home runs, six RBI, and three runs scored while walking five times and striking out 16 times in just 38 plate appearances over 10 games played. Carpenter has plenty of experience against Ober, hitting .267 against him with an .886 OPS, a home run, and three RBI in 15 career at-bats, so perhaps this matchup is just what the doctor ordered for the struggling outfielder.

Apr 8

Hunter Dobbins • SP • Cardinals |

Hunter Dobbins • C • Tigers

Hunter Dobbins Looks Good in Rehab Start at Triple-A

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Hunter Dobbins (knee) allowed just an earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out seven in 5 1/3 innings pitched in a minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. He threw 62 of his 91 pitches for strikes. Dobbins was not ready to make his Cardinals debut to start the 2026 season while recovering from ACL surgery, but after throwing 91 pitches on Tuesday, he should be close to being activated from the 15-day injured list. So far on his rehab assignment, Dobbins has given up four runs with three walks and 10 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings pitched. When cleared, Dobbins should immediately join St. Louis' starting rotation in the big leagues. The 26-year-old isn't a dominant arm and had a modest 17.6% strikeout rate with the Red Sox in his big-league debut in 2025, which will limit his fantasy appeal to mainly deep-mixed and NL-only leagues when he joins the Red Birds.

Apr 8

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Emerging as Top Hitting Prospect to Stash

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark is riding a six-game hit streak at Triple-A that includes five multi-hit efforts, and he's now batting .367 with six doubles, three steals, and an impressive 7:2 BB:K through his first eight games at that level. The Tigers' second-ranked prospect hit 14 home runs a season ago and stole 19 bases, all while striking out and walking at better-than-average rates between High-A and Double-A, traits he's shown throughout his minor league career. The former third-overall draft pick began the year with a good shot to make his major league debut this season, but if he keeps this up, it will happen sooner rather than later. With his pedigree and the potential to be a multi-category fantasy producer, the 21-year-old is one of the top hitter stash candidates in deeper leagues and could be a viable waiver add in shallow leagues whenever he gets the call, so redraft managers should keep an eye out for any developments.

Apr 7

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Hitting Leadoff for Tigers Against Twins

Detroit Tigers rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle is making the start at the 6 and will bat leadoff for Monday's series opener against the Minnesota Twins and right-hander Joe Ryan at Target Field, per MLB.com. Infielder Colt Keith will drop to third in the batting order. McGonigle, a 21-year-old former first-rounder, came into the 2026 season as the No. 2 overall prospect in all of baseball, and so far, he has delivered after impressing enough in spring training to make the Opening Day roster. He went 10-for-33 (.303) with three doubles, a triple, five RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and five strikeouts in his first nine major-league contests. McGonigle has proven to be mature beyond his years and should now be rostered in all fantasy leagues as a regular for Detroit. All signs point to the infield phenom hitting near the top of Detroit's batting order for many years to come.

Apr 6

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