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Gleyber Torres Gleyber Torres Out of lineup again Friday
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 2:14 PM
Torres is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Pirates.
Analysis: It's the second game in a row and the ninth time this month that Torres has been absent from the lineup. The 29-year-old is an impending free agent and the Tigers have been eliminated from postseason contention, so Torres could continue to see limited reps in the final weekend of the regular season. Detroit has Hao-Yu Lee at second base and Eduardo Valencia at designated hitter Friday. |
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Max Clark Max Clark Getting turn in leadoff spot
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 2:10 PM
Clark will start in center field and bat leadoff in Friday's contest against the Pirates.
Analysis: It's the first time in his young big-league career that Clark has batted higher than sixth. The rookie outfielder has not shown signs of slowing down late in the season, slashing .353/.458/.500 with one home run, four stolen bases and an 11:14 BB:K over 20 September games. |
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Burch Smith Burch Smith On mend from shoulder surgery
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 12:26 PM
Smith underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Aug. 31, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Analysis: The procedure brings an end to Smith's season, after the right-hander struggled to bounce back upon hitting the injured list May 22 due to shoulder inflammation. Before being deactivated, Smith turned in a 3.18 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB across 17 innings over 13 appearances for Detroit. The 36-year-old righty is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agency this winter. |
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Parker Meadows Parker Meadows Rehabbing in Florida
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 12:20 PM
The Tigers announced Sept. 18 that Meadows (arm) has been taking part in a hitting progression at the team's spring training facility in Florida, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Meadows doesn't appear to be a realistic candidate to return from the 60-day injured list for the Tigers' final series of the season, but he could be in store for something close to a normal offseason. The 26-year-old outfielder slashed just .250/.308/.333 with three stolen bases, three runs and two RBI over 39 plate appearances with Detroit before hitting the shelf after sustaining a fractured left radius bone in his left arm and concussion during an on-field collision April 9. |
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River Ryan River Ryan Headed for another start
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 12:11 PM
Ryan is slated to start Sunday's game against the Pirates at Comerica Park, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Ryan will get a second turn through the rotation to close out the Tigers' season. After getting called up form Triple-A Toledo on Monday, Ryan started and struck out three batters over three shutout frames in a no-decision against the Nationals. He tossed 43 pitches in that outing and will once again be operating with a restricted workload Sunday, making him a risky option for fantasy managers streaming him with the hope of scooping up a win. Keider Montero or Jack Flaherty (forearm) could end up piggybacking Ryan in the season finale. |
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Andrew Sears Andrew Sears Headed to bullpen
Fri, Sep 25, 2026, 11:58 AM
Sears is expected to pitch out of the bullpen at some point during Friday's game against the Pirates, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Sears had started in each of his last three appearances, but he'll shift to a relief role to close out the campaign after he was roughed up for six unearned runs while retiring just two batters his last time out Friday against the White Sox. Over five total outings with Detroit this season, Sears has submitted a 5.19 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB across 17.1 frames. |
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Kevin McGonigle Kevin McGonigle Bangs out three more hits
Thu, Sep 24, 2026, 9:24 AM
McGonigle went 3-for-5 with a double in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Nationals.
Analysis: The Tigers only managed eight hits in total, helping to explain why McGonigle wasn't able to cross the plate despite another strong effort from the leadoff spot. The 22-year-old appears to have the AL Rookie of the Year Award sewn up, but he isn't coasting to the finish line -- through 20 games in September, McGonigle has produced a .305/.396/.512 slash line with nine extra-base hits including three homers, plus 11 runs, 12 RBI and a 13:14 BB:K. He's the first Detroit rookie to collect 50 extra-base hits in a season since Steve Kemp in 1977. |
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Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Stumbles in sixth, takes loss
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 7:45 PM
Valdez (10-12) gave up two runs on four hits across 5.1 innings to take the loss Wednesday against the Nationals. He walked three and struck out six.
Analysis: Valdez was in strong form through five innings, allowing just a single and three walks. However, the southpaw ran into trouble in the sixth when he allowed the first three batters to reach to make the score 1-0 before he eventually got the hook. While the outing ended on a sour note, it was still another mostly good performance for Valdez, who has posted a 1.93 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 23.1 innings in September. The veteran is not scheduled to take the mound again in 2026, so he'll finish his first season in Detroit with a 4.03 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 135 strikeouts across 174 innings. After signing a three-year, $115 million contract with the Tigers in the offseason, Valdez's final stat line is a disappointment compared to the numbers he regularly posted in Houston, but he'll have the chance to restore some fantasy value if he looks good early in 2027. |
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Ben Malgeri Ben Malgeri Goes deep again Wednesday
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 7:34 PM
Malgeri went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two total RBI in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Nationals.
Analysis: Malgeri provided all of Detroit's offense as he wrapped up a strong series against Washington. Across the three games, the rookie outfielder went 5-for-12 with two home runs and five RBI. Before this series, Malgeri had a total of three long balls and 15 RBI through 54 contests. It's a brief flash of upside for the 26-year-old, who will likely compete for a bench role with the Tigers out of spring training next year. |
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Gleyber Torres Gleyber Torres Out of Tigers' lineup
Wed, Sep 23, 2026, 9:10 AM
Torres is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: Torres' playing time has tapered off a bit this month as the Tigers look ahead to 2027, as this will be his eighth day off. Zach McKinstry will be at second base, and Hao-Yu Lee will fill the designated hitter spot. |
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Drew Anderson Drew Anderson Pitches well again but takes loss
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 8:39 PM
Anderson (5-7) allowed three runs on five hits across six innings to take the loss Tuesday against the Nationals. He struck out five.
Analysis: Anderson mostly pitched well but served up two home runs to CJ Abrams, including a two-run shot in the seventh inning, to account for all of the damage in an eventual 3-1 loss. The righty tossed five scoreless frames in his last outing and has a tidy 2.76 ERA across 45.2 innings since the beginning of August. Overall, Anderson now has a 3.67 ERA and 114 strikeouts in a career-high 108 innings this season split between the bullpen and rotation. He's not currently in line to make any more 2026 starts, though it's unclear exactly how the Tigers will deploy their pitchers over the final four games of the year with the team eliminated from the playoff race. Either way, Anderson has shown some promise as a starter down the stretch, which figures to put him in the mix for a 2027 Opening Day rotation spot. |
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Jack Flaherty Jack Flaherty Will make appearance this weekend
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 3:15 PM
Flaherty (forearm) will be activated from the 15-day injured list and pitch during this weekend's series against the Pirates, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: He could follow either Justin Verlander (hamstring/hip) on Saturday or River Ryan on Sunday in a piggyback role, as neither Verlander nor Ryan are stretched out to handle a full workload. Flaherty's stamina isn't built up, either, but was scheduled for a 2-to-3-inning simulated game this past Saturday. The right-handed hurler has been sidelined late July due to right forearm flexor inflammation. |
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Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Out of Tuesday's lineup
Tue, Sep 22, 2026, 2:30 PM
Dingler is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: The 28-year-old and Eduardo Valencia will alternate starts behind the plate for a fifth consecutive game Tuesday. Dingler earned his first career All-Star nod with an .831 OPS and 19 homers during the first half of the season, but he's struggled to a .220/.275/.369 slash line in 55 contests since the All-Star break. |
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Keider Montero Keider Montero Earns 10th win
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 9:20 PM
Montero (10-9) earned the win Monday over the Nationals. He allowed a hit and a walk while striking out five over four scoreless innings of bulk relief.
Analysis: Entering after three innings from River Ryan, Montero spun four shutout frames to earn his 10th win of the campaign. It was a positive showing for the right-hander after surrendering 10 runs in 12 innings over his past three starts. On the year, Montero owns a 3.48 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 107:37 K:BB in 155 innings (32 appearances), and it remains to be seen if he'll make another appearance before the conclusion of the regular season. |
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River Ryan River Ryan Strong showing in team debut
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 9:14 PM
Ryan did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing two hits and a walk over three scoreless innings against the Nationals. He struck out three.
Analysis: Ryan looked strong in his Tigers debut and first big-league appearance since August 2024, keeping the Nationals off the scoreboard before departing at 43 pitches (26 strikes). The shortened workload doesn't come as much of a surprise, given that the 28-year-old logged just 4.2 frames over two starts with Triple-A Toledo before being recalled. In five career starts in the majors, Ryan has posted a stellar 1.16 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB across 23.1 innings. The right-hander is tentatively lined up to make one more start to close the regular season Sunday against the Pirates. |
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Ben Malgeri Ben Malgeri Provides some pop Monday
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 8:44 PM
Malgeri went 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run home run in Monday's 9-2 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: Malgeri recorded both his fourth home run and fourth double of the season in the easy win. The rookie outfielder has been more known for his speed in the early stages of his MLB career, as he's swiped five bases in five attempts through 55 games. Malgeri could profile as an Opening Day fourth outfielder in 2027 due to his decent wheels and ability to provide a little offense when called on, though his fantasy outlook will remain limited unless he seizes a regular starting role. |
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Spencer Torkelson Spencer Torkelson Blasts 25th home run Monday
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 8:38 PM
Torkelson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 9-2 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: Torkelson continued his strong finish to the season, as he's now batting .305 with five home runs and 11 RBI through 19 September games. The slugger also reached the 25-homer plateau for the second straight year and third time in his MLB career. By this point, it's pretty clear that Torkelson is a boom-or-bust player who can provide plenty of power but is also susceptible to prolonged slumps. |
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Javier Baez Javier Baez Pops rare home run Monday
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 8:33 PM
Baez went 1-for-2 with a walk and a two-run home run in Monday's 9-2 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: Baez hit just his third home run of the season and first since April 24 in the fourth inning of Monday's win. The veteran missed about three months of action between late April and late July due to an ankle sprain, and then saw his role reduced later in the year as the Tigers turned their attention toward younger players. Baez is under contract in Detroit for one more year in 2027, but at this point, he looks like a high-paid backup to youngsters such as Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark and Hao-Yu Lee. |
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Hao-Yu Lee Hao-Yu Lee Tallies three hits in win
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 8:25 PM
Lee went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Monday's 9-2 win over the Nationals.
Analysis: Lee got off to a bit of a slow start in September, but over his last four games, he's gone 9-for-19 with four extra-base hits. Overall, the rookie infielder is now batting .268 with a .757 OPS, and he's likely shown enough to earn an Opening Day starting role with Detroit next year. Lee should also see ample playing time over the last few days of the 2026 regular season now that the Tigers have been eliminated from playoff contention and figure to focus on young players they want to build around. |
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Zach McKinstry Zach McKinstry Losing out on playing time
Mon, Sep 21, 2026, 5:51 PM
McKinstry is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.
Analysis: McKinstry will take a seat for the third day in a row, this time against a lefty starter (DJ Herz). Since he had previously been held out of the lineup versus righties Davis Martin and Sean Burke in the series against the White Sox over the weekend, the left-handed-hitting McKinstry looks like he could be losing his grip on a strong-side platoon role. McKinstry's drop in playing time comes while he's slashed just .088/.184/.147 through 13 games in September. |
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