Detroit Tigers News

Akil Baddoo  • LF  •  Tigers

Akil Baddoo Remaining With Tigers

Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. The 26-year-old was designated for assignment last week, but will stick with the organization. Baddoo has struggled in each of the last three seasons after entering the MLB with a bang in 2021. Baddoo hit .259/.330/.436 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI with 18 stolen bases during his rookie season in 2021 with the Tigers. Last season, Baddoo posted his worst stats of his career with a .159 batting average with two home runs and five RBI in 31 games. He figures to start the season in the minors and could get another chance if he can prove himself in Toledo.
2 days ago   
Ryan Miller  • RP  •  Tigers

Ryan Miller Signs With Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have signed relief pitcher Ryan Miller to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. The 28-year-old made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Angels last season. He finished with a 4.15 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and a 11/8 K/BB ratio across 13 innings with the Halos. He looked better in the minors with a 2.45 ERA and 61/14 K/BB ratio in 34 appearances in Triple-A last season. At worst, Miller is decent bullpen depth for the Tigers, but he should get a chance to win a bullpen spot in spring training.
2 days ago   
Javier Báez  • SS  •  Tigers

Javier Baez Expected To Start Defensive Drills This Week

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) has initiated a running program and is expected to begin light defensive drills later this week. Baez underwent season-ending hip surgery in August, but based on his current progress, he may be ready for Spring Training. Earlier this offseason, team president Scott Harris noted that the former World Series champion will have a role on the 2025 roster. Before the injury, the 32-year-old posted a .184/.221/.294 line with just six home runs and eight stolen bases. He generated a low .264 xwOBA and .345 xSLG. In addition, he posted a low 4.2% walk rate and a high 23.9% K rate. While he may have a role in the starting nine as the everyday shortstop, fantasy managers should keep Baez off their radar, given his lack of stable offensive output.
Dec 10   
Colt Keith  • 2B  •  Tigers

Colt Keith, Justyn-Henry Malloy Will Get Work At First Base At Spring Training

According to Chris McCosky, the Tigers are planning to use Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy at first base during Spring Training. While McCosky noted that Keith will still likely operate as the regular second baseman, this move could just add more positional flexibility to the roster. Keith made his major league debut last season and logged 133 of his starts at the keystone and the other 14 as the designated hitter. He held a .260/.309/.380 slash line. Malloy, however, made all of his starts in the outfield, and shifting to first base could provide him more opportunities during the 2025 season. Across a 71-game stint in the majors this past summer, Malloy held an underwhelming .203/.291/.366 line with seven doubles and eight home runs. Given his struggles, moving to first base could get him in the lineup more often, while Keith should be viewed as the No.1 second baseman heading into Spring Training.
Dec 10   
Alex Lange  • RP  •  Tigers

Alex Lange Begins Playing Catch

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange (lat) has begun playing catch three times a week from 120 feet, according to the team. Lange underwent lat surgery in June which caused him to miss the entire second half of the 2024 season. Before the injury, the 29-year-old posted a 3.34 ERA and 1.77 WHIP across 18 2/3 innings. He tallied two saves and posted an underwhelming 17:21 BB:K ratio. However, he did generate whiffs at an elite 33.3% mark. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Spring Training, as he may be able to participate, given his current pace. While Jason Foley will likely operate as the go-to ninth-inning option in Detroit this coming season, Lange could eventually mix in for opportunities as he tallied 26 saves during the 2023 season.
Dec 10   
Jace Jung  • 2B  •  Tigers

Jace Jung Undergoes Wrist Surgery, Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training

Detroit Tigers third base prospect Jace Jung (wrist) underwent wrist surgery earlier this offseason to address lingering wrist inflammation. However, the team noted that the young infielder is expected to be ready for Spring Training. The Texas Tech product spent the majority of the 2024 season with Triple-A Toledo before earning a late-season promotion to the big leagues. Across 91 games at Triple-A, the former 12th-overall pick held a .257/.377/.454 line with 23 doubles and 14 home runs. In 34 games at the major league level, Jung held a similar .241/.362/.304 line. Under the hood, he generated a weak 34.0% hard-hit rate and a 4.0% barrel rate. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his progress during Spring Training as he should be in a good position to make the Opening Day Roster.
Dec 10   
Sawyer Gipson-Long  • SP  •  Tigers

Sawyer Gipson-Long Continuing Rehab Program

According to the Detroit Tigers, starting pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) is playing catch from 120 feet three times a week. Gipson-Long is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in April and also a hip operation he underwent in July and was unable to pitch at all last summer. In 2023, the Mercer product made his major league debut and performed quite well as he posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 20 innings (four starts.) During this small stint, he struck out 26 batters and served up eight walks. Across 34 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Gipson-Long has posted a 5.45 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should continue to monitor his status throughout the first half of the season, as he may find himself back in rotation once he returns to the mound.
Dec 10   
Alex Cobb  • SP  •  Tigers

Alex Cobb Agrees With Tigers On One-Year Deal

Free-agent veteran right-hander Alex Cobb agreed with the Detroit Tigers on an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, according to sources. The contract is pending a physical. The Tigers had been looking for a cheap one-year deal for a starting pitcher this offseason, and they'll land on the 37-year-old Cobb, who has familiarity with president of baseball operations Scott Harris from their time together with the San Francisco Giants. Cobb began 2024 with San Fran but then joined the Cleveland Guardians in the second half, but he appeared in just 16 1/3 regular-season innings due to multiple injuries. He was good when healthy, though, with a 2.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in his three starts. Cobb has the track record to be a solid midrange starter for Detroit, but he's injury-prone late in his career and doesn't strike out many batters, limiting his fantasy upside.
Dec 10   
Andy Ibáñez  • 2B  •  Tigers

Andy Ibanez, Tigers Settle On One-Year Deal

Infielder Andy Ibanez and the Detroit Tigers avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.4 million deal, according to sources. Ibanez gets a raise after earning $633,900 in his second year with Detroit in 2024. The 31-year-old veteran from Cuba wasn't quite as good this past season, though, slashing a very mediocre .241/.295/.357 with a below-average .652 OPS, only five home runs, 32 RBI, two stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 99 regular-season games. Ibanez's greatest asset is his glove and his ability to play pretty much anywhere on the infield besides catcher. He also makes plenty of contact with the lumber, but there's very little power to speak. Ibanez will likely be in a utility role again for the Tigers in 2025, which limits his fantasy value to AL-only leagues as depth. He has a career .256/.305/.396 slash line with 24 homers in four MLB seasons.
Nov 23   
Jahmai Jones  • RF  •  Tigers

Tigers Sign Jahmai Jones To Minor-League Deal

The Detroit Tigers signed infielder/outfielder Jahmai Jones to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to camp. The 27-year-old last played with the Yankees in 2024, having logged just 47 plate appearances this season in 33 games, slashing .238/.304/.381 before he was sent down to Triple-A in August for the rest of the season. The former second-round draft pick hit well at Triple-A, batting .304 with an .880 OPS while adding 10 steals in 34 games, and owns a career slashline of .259/.351/.756 in the minors, but has yet to translate that to the big leagues. There are financial incentives in his contract if he makes the big league roster out of camp, but regardless, he'd likely be no more than a platoon player. If Jones were able to work his way into an everyday role, then presumably he'd be hitting and, combined with his speed, he could be an impactful fantasy asset. But that is a big 'if' at this point.
Nov 21   
Tarik Skubal  • SP  •  Tigers

Tarik Skubal Wins 2024 American League Cy Young Award

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal won the AL Cy Young Award on Wednesday, the first time the 28-year-old has won the award. The lefty dominated in his 15 starts in 2023 after his return from Tommy John surgery and backed it up with a full season of dominance in 2024. The southpaw went 18-4 while posting a 2.39 ERA -- FIP, xFIP, and SIERA were all under 3.00 as well -- with a 0.92 WHIP, and an elite 25.6% K-BB% in 31 starts (192 IP). The former ninth-round draft pick also made it to his first All-Star game this season. He'll certainly cost quite a bit more in 2025 fantasy drafts than he did this year, but so long as he can stay healthy, he has the repertoire to deliver on a high draft-day price tag.
Nov 21   
Josue Briceno  • C  •  Tigers

Josue Briceno Wins AFL MVP After Triple-Crown Campaign

Detroit Tigers catching prospect Josue Briceno took home the Arizona Fall League's Joe Black MVP Award after he led the circuit in all three Triple Crown categories: batting average (.433), on-base percentage (.509), and HR (10). But it wasn't just those stats, the 20-year-old also led in hits (39), RBI (27), and OPS (1.376). The Venezuelan missed more than three months with a PCL sprain in his right knee which forced the backstop to work as a first baseman and designated hitter in the AFL. It's unclear which level of the minors he will start at next season after playing at Single-A in his limited action in 2024, but this type of performance could propel him to the bigs sooner than expected, although that is still likely a couple of years away.
Nov 17   
Josue Briceno  • C  •  Tigers

Josue Briceno Collects Five Hits On Tuesday

A day after hitting his AFL-leading ninth home run, Detroit Tigers first base/catching prospect Josue Briceno stayed hot, going 5-for-5 with a pair of doubles, four RBI, and three runs scored for the Scottsdale Scorpions. You might be looking at the eventual Arizona Fall League MVP as the 20-year-old now leads the circuit -- by a wide margin in some cases -- in hits (36), home runs (9), RBI (26), AVG (.439), SLG (.866), and OPS (1.371). Winning AFL MVP honors could put him in some pretty good company, including the likes of Nolan Arenado (2011), Kris Bryant (2013), Ronald Acuna Jr. (2017), Royce Lewis (2019), and Heston Kjerstad (2022). He's just 20 years old and likely a couple of years away from the majors, but his AFL performance could put him on the fast track.
Nov 13   
Thayron Liranzo  • C  •  Tigers

Thayron Liranzo Homers, Drives In Three In Four-Hit Day

Fresh off winning the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Fall Stars game MVP, Detroit Tigers catching prospect Thayron Liranzo continued that momentum in his first game back with the Scottsdale Scorpions on Tuesday, going 4-for-5 with a solo home run, three RBI, and a run scored. The Tigers acquired Liranzo earlier this season in the Jack Flaherty trade and has impressed with his new club. After a strong showing at High-A West Michigan, the young backstop now owns a .375/.492/.667 slashline over 15 games in the AFL and has shown a patient eye, walking more than he is striking out (11:9 BB:K). With just a couple of games left in the AFL regular season, it appears the 21-year-old has made a strong case to begin next season at Double-A and perhaps make a push toward Triple-A with some continued success. He likely won't be in a Tigers uniform until 2026 or beyond, but a switch-hitting offensive catcher is something dynasty managers would be wise to keep an eye on.
Nov 13   
Josue Briceno  • C  •  Tigers

Josue Briceno Extends AFL Home Run Lead On Monday

Detroit Tigers first base/catching prospect Josue Briceno continued his torrid stretch on Monday for the Scottsdale Scorpions, going 2-for-3 with a walk and his ninth home run in 22 games in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). The nine home runs lead all AFL players (second-most is six), but the 20-year-old also leads the circuit in hits (31), batting average (.403), and RBI (22) as well. Briceno missed a lot of time during the regular season due to a PCL sprain, playing in just 40 games for Single-A Lakeland, so he's getting additional reps in the AFL and making the most of it. The 6-foot-4 left-handed hitter ranks ninth among Tigers prospects and has an ETA of 2027 per MLB.com, but with a performance like this, he could certainly move up quickly and make his MLB debut a bit sooner than anticipated. If he wasn't already, he should now be on dynasty managers' radar.
Nov 12   
Bligh Madris  • RF  •  Tigers

Bligh Madris Returns To Tigers

Free-agent first baseman/outfielder Bligh Madris re-signed a minor-league deal to return to the Detroit Tigers organization over the weekend. Madris initially became a free agent after rejecting an outright assignment but will now return to Detroit. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth round in 2017 out of Colorado Mesa University and has appeared in three MLB seasons with the Pirates, Houston Astros and Tigers since debuting with Pittsburgh in 2022. Madris went 18-for-67 (.269) with a homer and five RBI in 21 games for Detroit in 2024 and has hit just .204/.273/.286 with two homers and 12 RBI in his 72 games played in the major leagues. He will represent outfield depth for Detroit yet again next year heading into spring training in February.
Nov 11   
Thayron Liranzo  • C  •  Tigers

Thayron Liranzo Earns AFL Fall Stars MVP Honors

Detroit Tigers catching prospect Thayron Liranzo was not a starter in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) Fall Stars game, in fact, he received just one at-bat, but he made the most of it by hitting a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the ninth inning, putting the AL squad ahead 6-5. It would prove to be the game-winner as the game ended 6-5, and the home run would earn Liranzo MVP honors. The switch-hitter came over to the Tigers earlier this year in the trade that would send Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers. Since then, the 21-year-old has hit well, slashing .315/.470/.562 in 26 games at High-A West Michigan, parlaying that success to the AFL by slashing .326/.463/.581 in 14 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He's a few years away from the bigs but dynasty managers should begin to take notice.
Nov 11   
Casey Mize  • SP  •  Tigers

Tigers Decline Casey Mize's 2025 Club Option

The Detroit Tigers declined right-handed pitcher Casey Mize's 2025 club option, according to Cody Stavenhagen. However, the 27-year-old remains under team control and is eligible for arbitration. Mize posted a modest 4.49 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in his first full campaign post-Tommy John surgery in 2024. This was a decline compared to his 3.71 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, which he held in the 2022 campaign, his other full season. Under the hood, the former first-overall pick generated ground balls at an elite 49.6% mark. However, he allowed hard contact at a poor 44.6% hard-hit rate and could not generate strikeouts at an underwhelming 17.3% K rate. Mize remains a low-end starter for deeper formats heading into the 2025 season.
Nov 4   
Javier Báez  • SS  •  Tigers

Javier Baez Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) is expected to be part of workouts in spring training in February after having surgery on his hip, according to president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Despite Baez's massive decline since joining the Tigers, the team still sees a role for him, particularly if his surgery helps him move more like he did when he was younger. The 31-year-old's 2024 season ended early in early September when he had surgery on his right hip. Perhaps his hip injury was part of the reason why he was atrocious again this year with a .184/.221/.294 slash line, six home runs, 37 RBI and eight stolen bases in just 80 games played. Since joining the Tigers in 2022, Baez has hit .221/.263/.347 with a .610 OPS, 32 homers, 163 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 360 games. He still has three years and $73 million left on his deal, but regular playing time won't be guaranteed to Baez in 2025.
Oct 15   
Colt Keith  • 2B  •  Tigers

Colt Keith Taking A Seat Against Southpaw In Game 5

Detroit Tigers rookie second baseman Colt Keith will start on the bench in Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Saturday at Progressive Field against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians with a lefty on the mound. Andy Ibanez will make the start at the keystone and will bat cleanup against Guardians left-hander Matthew Boyd. Ibanez, 31, isn't your typical No. 4 hitter. The Cuban infielder hit a mediocre .241/.295/.357 during the regular season with a below-average .652 OPS, five home runs, 32 RBI and 30 runs scored in 244 trips to the plate over 99 games played in his second year in Detroit. He picked up hits in each of the first two playoff games in the Wild-Card Series against the Houston Astros but has gone hitless in four games since. Overall, he's gone 2-for-8 with two doubles, three RBI and a strikeout in six games (eight plate appearances). Ibanez has gone hitless in his two career at-bats against Boyd with one strikeout.
Oct 12   
LEGEND
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