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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.
Troy Melton Troy Melton Held back by arm soreness Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 9:37 AM Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Melton has yet to make a Grapefruit League appearance due to general right arm soreness, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Hinch said the club is "playing it pretty conservative" and will get Melton "checked out" before a more concrete update on his condition is revealed. Melton was already likely on the outside looking in for a spot in Detroit's rotation following the team's signings of Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, and the injury could be a knockout blow to his chances of making the Opening Day roster even if it's not a long-term issue.
Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Nearing return Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 8:40 PM Dingler (elbow) is working through a return-to-play throwing progression this week and is expected to be ready to return in early March, MLB.com reports. Analysis: Dingler underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow at the end of January and has been working his way back in recent weeks. He has been taking part in all other baseball activities, and now his throwing seems to be nearly back to normal as well. With more than a month to go until Opening Day, Dingler doesn't seem to be in any danger of missing regular-season contests, and he should be Detroit's clear top catcher after a strong 2025 campaign.
Jackson Jobe Jackson Jobe Slowly ramps up throwing program Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 8:34 PM Jobe (elbow) is scheduled to play catch out to 105 feet three times this week, MLB.com reports. Analysis: Jobe was previously capped at throwing from 90 feet three times per week, so this is a small step, but he still has a long way to go in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last June. The 23-year-old righty might be able to return near the end of the 2026 regular season, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Tigers play things safe and keep Jobe on the shelf until 2027.
Phil Bickford Phil Bickford Managing triceps issue Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 11:39 AM Bickford was shut down from throwing Tuesday due to a triceps strain, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Bickford joined Detroit on a minor-league contract in January but is now dealing with an arm injury early in camp. The right-hander was already a longshot to crack the Opening Day roster, and the injury likely guarantees he'll open 2026 at the Triple-A level.
Tarik Skubal Tarik Skubal Sharp in spring debut Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 7:17 PM Skubal allowed two hits across two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out four. Analysis: The reigning back-to-back American League Cy Young Award winner picked up where he left off last season as he breezed through two strong innings on 31 pitches. Skubal has already been named Detroit's Opening Day starter, so his workload will likely be closely managed the rest of spring training as he gears up for that contest. The southpaw is also scheduled to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, though he only plans on making one start during pool play next week before returning to camp, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. That should leave Skubal fairly fresh heading into Opening Day after he made 31 regular-season starts each of the last two years.
Austin Slater Austin Slater Hits first spring home run Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 8:44 PM Slater went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles. Analysis: Slater connected in the third inning for his first home run of the spring slate. The 33-year-old joined the Tigers earlier this month on a minor-league contract with a chance to compete for an Opening Day roster spot during camp. Slater had an OPS under .650 each of the last two seasons with a batting average under .220, so he doesn't figure to offer a ton of offense. However, the veteran is a versatile defender who could carve out a utility role in Detroit if he strings together more good performances in spring training.
Kerry Carpenter Kerry Carpenter To see more work against lefties? Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 8:49 AM Carpenter only logged 60 at-bats against left-handed pitchers last season, but he could see more opportunities in 2026, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Carpenter is just a .207 career hitter against lefties in the regular season, and he batted .217 (13-for-60) with 14 strikeouts against same-handed pitching last year, though three of those hits left the yard. It's that power potential that could keep the 28-year-old on the field against southpaws, and he's been an elite offensive weapon against righties throughout his career. When the Tigers do decide to bench Carpenter against lefties, Jahmai Jones, Matt Vierling and Austin Slater are among the top options to receive at-bats. More playing time against southpaws could raise Carpenter's fantasy ceiling in 2026, at least in terms of home runs and other counting stats, though his batting average may suffer.
Eduardo Valencia Eduardo Valencia Cleared for all baseball activities Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 10:23 AM Valencia (quadriceps) has been cleared for all baseball activities Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. Analysis: Valencia has been dealing with a strained left quad but appears ready to play in Grapefruit League games. The 26-year-old backstop split the 2025 campaign between Double-A and Triple-A and slashed .311/.382/.559 with 24 home runs, 95 RBI and 64 runs scored across 433 plate appearances.