Detroit Tigers - NFBC | High Stakes Fantasy Baseball

Detroit Tigers

NFC | High Stakes Fantasy Sports

News
Tarik Skubal Tarik Skubal Set for WBC start Saturday Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 8:49 PM Skubal is set to start for the United States against Great Britain on Saturday in the World Baseball Classic, which will be his only start in the tournament, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports. Analysis: It was previously reported that Skubal would appear only once during WBC pool play, and that start is now scheduled for the United States' second game. The southpaw should have an advantage against a Great Britain squad that doesn't have a ton of high-end MLB talent, but it remains to be seen how long he'll be asked to go into the contest. Following the WBC, Skubal is slated to return to Detroit's camp as he prepares for his Opening Day start against the Padres on March 26.
Javier Baez Javier Baez Scratched with back tightness Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 3:44 PM Baez was scratched from Tuesday's exhibition game versus Team Dominican Republic due to lower-back tightness. Analysis: Baez should be considered day-to-day for the time being. Max Clark subbed in for Baez in center field in the Tigers' lineup Tuesday.
Justin Verlander Justin Verlander Set for spring debut Friday Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 8:24 PM Verlander will make his first Grapefruit League start in Friday's game against the Red Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Verlander will be the last member of Detroit's projected season-opening rotation to take the hill this spring, and it will be his first game in a Detroit uniform since 2017 after rejoining the club on a one-year, $13 million contract last month. The 42-year-old isn't the same pitcher he was when he last played for the Tigers, but he should at least give the team a veteran option to reliably eat up some innings. Verlander turned in a respectable 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts across 152 innings for the Giants last year.
Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Sharp in team debut Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 8:16 PM Valdez allowed two hits across three scoreless innings of work in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. He struck out three. Analysis: Making his first spring start for the Tigers since inking a three-year, $115 million contract in early February, Valdez looked sharp across his 43 pitches. He threw 30 of those pitches for strikes and managed to scatter two harmless singles. The 32-year-old southpaw figures to slot in to the No. 2 spot in Detroit's rotation behind ace Tarik Skubal, giving the Tigers two of the top left-handed starters in the American League. Valdez has made at least 28 regular-season starts in each of the last four years, and he's compiled a sparkling 3.21 ERA during that time, making him an attractive fantasy option in his first season in Detroit.
Beau Brieske Beau Brieske Exits with ribcage injury Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 2:35 PM Brieske was lifted from Monday's Grapefruit League appearance versus Atlanta due to right ribcage tightness, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Making his first appearance this spring after being slowed by back spasms, Brieske lasted only three pitches Monday before being pulled. It's unclear whether the two injuries might be related. Brieske will be evaluated further before the Tigers determine what the next steps for him will be.
Beau Brieske Beau Brieske Pulled from outing with injury Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 1:56 PM Brieske was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League appearance versus Atlanta after only three pitches with an undisclosed injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Brieske was making his first appearance of the spring after previously being sidelined with back spasms. It's safe to assume he encountered a setback with his back, but the Tigers should have more clarity on the reliever's status soon.
Beau Brieske Beau Brieske Ready for spring debut Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 10:02 AM Brieske (back) is scheduled to make a relief appearance in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Brieske will be making his spring debut Monday after a bout with thoracic spine inflammation prevented him from pitching last week. The Tigers didn't use Brieske for more than two innings in any of his appearances last season, so the 27-year-old won't require much of a buildup period during spring training.
Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Throwing to bases Tuesday Mon, Mar 2, 2026, 9:48 AM Dingler (elbow) is scheduled to advance to throwing to bases Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Dingler has been eased into a throwing program in Tigers camp after having arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in January. The 27-year-old has seen action in a couple Grapefruit League contests as a designated hitter, but it's unclear when he will be ready to catch in a spring training game. As long as he continues to progress without setbacks, Dingler is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Sean Guenther Sean Guenther Healthy heading into 2026 Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 10:57 AM Guenther (hip) has allowed one hit and no walks over two scoreless innings through his first two Grapefruit League appearances. Analysis: Guenther is back to full health for spring training after he didn't make an appearance in the majors or minors after June 25 last season while recovering from a left hip arthroscopy. Detroit brought the 30-year-old lefty reliever back on a minor-league deal this winter, and he's competing for a spot in the Tigers' Opening Day bullpen.
Ty Madden Ty Madden Demoted to minors Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 9:56 AM The Tigers optioned Madden to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Madden reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024 and submitted a 4.30 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB in 23 innings, but the 25-year-old righty had his entire 2025 campaign wiped out while he recovered from a right rotator cuff strain. Though he's back to full health, Madden will need to shake off some rust and pitch effectively for Toledo before getting consideration for a starting role with the big club.
Dylan Smith Dylan Smith Sent packing from big-league camp Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 9:52 AM The Tigers optioned Smith to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Smith will still join the Tigers' big-league group for its two-game exhibition in the Dominican Republic during the upcoming week, but he'll report to minor-league camp upon returning to Florida. The 25-year-old righty allowed just two earned runs on six hits and five walks over 13 innings in his seven appearances out of the Detroit bullpen in 2025, but he'll likely need to pitch well at Toledo before earning another look in the big leagues.
Jack Flaherty Jack Flaherty Strikes out four in spring start Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:34 AM Flaherty allowed a run on a hit and a walk across two innings of work in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out four. Analysis: Flaherty has been eased in to action so far this spring, as he's logged just three innings across two Grapefruit League appearances so far, but he shouldn't need much work to get ready for the year. The veteran righty is coming off of an up-and-down 2025 campaign when he posted a 4.64 ERA across 161 regular-season innings but also struck out 188 batters. Flaherty had a much sharper 3.17 ERA in 2024, his first season with the Tigers before getting traded to the Dodgers at the deadline that year. He should slot into the middle of Detroit's rotation in 2026, potentially righty behind Tarik Skubal and new addition Framber Valdez.
Javier Baez Javier Baez Hits first spring home run Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:26 AM Baez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. Analysis: Baez has now gone 4-for-7 through three spring games, and his home run Friday was his first of the exhibition slate. Earlier this month, the veteran was suspended from the World Baseball Classic for testing positive for marijuana in March 2023. The WBC's governing body classifies marijuana as a banned substance, but Major League Baseball does not, so his status with the Tigers is unaffected. Baez looks like Detroit's primary shortstop to begin the year, though he could also move into a utility role and play some in center, particularly if top prospect Kevin McGonigle makes a push for the role at short. The 33-year-old had something of a bounceback campaign in 2025, but his fantasy value overall has been trending down across his four seasons with the Tigers.
Beau Brieske Beau Brieske Viewed as day-to-day Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:43 AM Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Friday that Brieske is day-to-day with thoracic spine inflammation, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Brieske was injured in pitchers' fielding drill at practice this week and was unable to pitch in Thursday's Grapefruit League contest against Baltimore. Brieske appeared in 22 games for the Tigers last regular season, registering a 6.55 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 16:12 K:BB across 22 innings of work. He's competing for a role in the bullpen.
Troy Melton Troy Melton Dealing with elbow strain Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 9:29 AM Melton has a right elbow strain and will not be ready for the start of the season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Melton will be shut down for "a week or two" before being ramped back up. The young right-hander has yet to pitch in a game this spring and will need to be built back up from scratch once he does resume a throwing program. Melton was unlikely to crack the Tigers' rotation even before the injury and is now looking at a stint on the injured list.
Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Set for spring debut at DH Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 8:28 AM Dingler (elbow) is batting fifth as the designated hitter in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: The 27-year-old catcher is coming back from arthroscopic surgery in January on his right elbow, and he's still working through his throwing progression. Dingler has been fully participating in all other baseball activities, so he'll enter the lineup Friday as the DH. He could gain full clearance within the next week and should be good to go for the start of the regular season.
Keider Montero Keider Montero Middling spring results so far Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 9:05 PM Montero allowed two runs on five hits across three innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League against the Orioles. Analysis: Montero has now made two appearances this spring, and he's allowed five runs on eight hits across five innings of work, while striking out two. The righty delivered a serviceable 4.37 ERA across 90.2 regular-season innings last year, working primarily as a starter. However, with the Tigers adding Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander to their rotation in the offseason, Montero will likely have to settle for competing for a long-relief role to begin the year.
Beau Brieske Beau Brieske Unavailable due to side soreness Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 3:13 PM Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Brieske didn't pitch in Thursday's game versus the Orioles as anticipated due to soreness in his side, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Hinch said that Brieske hurt himself during a pitchers' fielding practice drill. The skipper does not believe the injury is serious, but he did not offer a guess as to when Brieske might be available to pitch in games. Brieske is projected for a middle relief role in Detroit this season.
Parker Meadows Parker Meadows Could get pushed in 2026 Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 8:34 PM With top prospect Max Clark potentially set to reach Triple-A this year, Meadows may get pushed out of his starting role in center field unless he produces more at the plate, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. Analysis: Meadows is considered a strong defensive center fielder, but he's never been able to produce consistent offense at the MLB level. He slashed just .215/.291/.330 in 58 regular-season games last year while missing significant time due to a nerve issue in his throwing arm along with a quad strain. Clark is not yet on Detroit's 40-man roster, which gives Meadows a bit more wiggle room for now, though the former could push the issue if he gets off to a hot start in the minors. For now, Meadows looks like Detroit's top option in center, but his fantasy value will remain depressed unless he starts to perform better at the plate.
Colin Poche Colin Poche Inks minors deal with Tigers Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 6:46 PM Poche signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Poche gave up 13 earned runs in just 9.1 major-league innings last season between the Nationals and Mets. He had signed a deal in January to spend the 2026 campaign in the Mexican League but will now pursue an opportunity to remain stateside. The 32-year-old southpaw owns a career 4.01 ERA in the majors and is just three years removed from putting up a 2.23 ERA with the Rays, so he could earn a spot in Detroit's bullpen if he returns to his previous form.