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Jahmai Jones Jahmai Jones Collects first spring hits Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 7:51 PM Jones went 2-for-4 with a double and five RBI in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. Analysis: Jones was 0-for-10 through his first four Grapefruit League appearances, but he woke his bat up Monday. The 28-year-old outfielder spent some time with Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic, and he'll now turn his attention to a reserve role with the Tigers. Jones has been dynamite against lefties in recent seasons, which includes a .970 OPS in those matchups last year, and he should once again be a short-side platoon option and pinch-hitting specialist in 2026. His fantasy value is capped by the uneven playing time, but Jones has some real upside in the right spots.
Brenan Hanifee Brenan Hanifee Struggling this spring Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 7:39 PM Hanifee has a 7.71 ERA and 1.93 WHIP across five Grapefruit League appearances. Analysis: Counting his appearance Monday against the Phillies, Hanifee has now allowed a run in four of his five appearances this spring. The righty was a fairly dependable reliever for the Tigers last year, posting a 3.00 ERA across 60 regular-season innings, though he only struck out 40 batters. The lack of true swing-and-miss stuff likely limits Hanifee to a middle-relief role if he's able to make the Opening Day roster, and his fantasy impact figures to be limited in that capacity.
Beau Brieske Beau Brieske Back in action in spring training Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 10:10 AM Brieske (ribcage) worked around a walk to toss a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Pirates in Grapefruit League play. Analysis: After he was briefly shut down with right ribcage tightness, Brieske returned to the mound Friday for his third appearance of the spring and his first since March 2. Manager A.J. Hinch was satisfied with how the right-hander looked Friday, noting that he hit 96 miles per hour with his fastball and displayed "pretty good" stuff, per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Brieske looks poised to break camp with the Tigers and is likely to fill a middle-relief role.
Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Off to slow start Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:56 AM Dingler, who went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, is batting just .188 through seven exhibition contests. Analysis: The start to Dingler's spring was delayed after he underwent arthroscopic right elbow surgery in the offseason. So far, the catcher has looked a bit sluggish offensively, but he's seeing regular playing time ahead of the regular season. Dingler had an impressive 2025 with a .278/.327/.425 slash line and 13 home runs across 126 regular-season contests, and he should be Detroit's clear No. 1 backstop this year with Jake Rogers in a reserve role.
Matt Vierling Matt Vierling Continues torrid spring Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:48 AM Vierling, who went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, is sporting a 1.039 OPS this spring. Analysis: Vierling has gone 11-for-31 with six extra-base hits and seven RBI in 11 Grapefruit League contests to date. The 29-year-old is expected to serve as a fourth outfielder and possible infield option this year, though his strong play could ultimately lead to elevated playing time. Parker Meadows and Wenceel Perez are struggling this spring, and both are candidates to cede time to Vierling if he continues to outperform them at the plate in the regular season.
Tarik Skubal Tarik Skubal Strikes out seven in return to camp Sun, Mar 15, 2026, 9:41 AM Skubal allowed one run on three hits across 4.2 innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. He struck out seven. Analysis: After making just one appearance for the United States in the World Baseball Classic, Skubal returned to the Grapefruit League and looked sharp in his latest tune-up. The lefty now has a 2.79 ERA and 12 strikeouts across 9.2 innings this spring, and he also allowed one run over three innings with five strikeouts for Team USA. Skubal has been named Detroit's starter for Opening Day on March 26 against the Padres.
Casey Mize Casey Mize Hit hard Friday Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 8:55 AM Mize allowed six runs on six hits and four walks across three innings in Friday's Grapefruit League contest against the Pirates. He struck out two. Analysis: This was easily Mize's worst start of the spring slate, as he came into the contest having allowed three total earned runs across 8.1 Grapefruit League innings. The righty should be locked into a regular-season rotation spot, though the Tigers did bolster their pitching staff in the offseason with the additions of Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, so Mize may be knocked down the pecking order a bit. He stayed mostly healthy last year and posted a 3.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 139 strikeouts across 149 regular-season innings.
Wenceel Perez Wenceel Perez Quiet spring so far Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 8:50 AM Across 11 Grapefruit League games, Perez has gone 4-for-24 with seven strikeouts. Analysis: Perez had a promising sophomore campaign in 2025, as he increased his production from 2024 across the board to finish with a career-best 13 home runs, 43 RBI and a .738 OPS across 100 regular-season contests. He's off to a sluggish start this spring but should still have the inside track to the starting role in right field. Utility man Matt Vierling could see more time in right if Perez's slump lasts into the regular season, and Kerry Carpenter is also an option there on days when he's not serving as the DH.
Parker Meadows Parker Meadows Yet to get going in spring training Sat, Mar 14, 2026, 8:41 AM Across 12 Grapefruit League contests, Meadows has gone 4-for-30 with 10 strikeouts. Analysis: This was seen as an important spring for Meadows, who sported a career-low .621 OPS in 58 regular-season games last year as he dealt with several injuries, and so far he hasn't done much to impress. With top prospect Max Clark starting to knock on the door of the majors, Meadows' hold on the center field role is not particularly firm. Javier Baez and Wenceel Perez could also push Meadows from the current MLB roster if Meadows doesn't snap out of his slump.
Bailey Horn Bailey Horn Tosses bullpen Friday Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 2:36 PM Horn (elbow) threw a bullpen session Friday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Horn underwent a left elbow scope during the offseason and is still working his way back into game shape. He's been throwing for multiple weeks but appears to be nearing game action. The left-hander pitched in 10 games out of the bullpen for Detroit last season, logging a 1.59 ERA, though his FIP was much higher at 4.37. He struck out 10 and walked seven across 11.1 innings.
Trey Sweeney Trey Sweeney Cleared to start throwing program Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 2:32 PM The Tigers announced Friday that Sweeney (shoulder) has started his throwing program, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Sweeney is working his way back from a right shoulder strain. After being cleared to start hitting again earlier this week, he's now able to start throwing. It gives Sweeney a chance to be ready for Opening Day in 13 days.
Troy Melton Troy Melton Begins throwing program Fri, Mar 13, 2026, 2:29 PM The Tigers announced Friday that Melton (elbow) has started his throwing program, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Melton was diagnosed with a right elbow strain early in camp and was placed on the 60-day injured list last week. The right-hander will be sidelined until at least late May, but it's encouraging that he's now able to start throwing again. Melton will provide rotation depth behind Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander and Casey Mize.
Sawyer Gipson-Long Sawyer Gipson-Long Throws bullpen session Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 8:27 PM Gipson-Long (oblique) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and appears to be on track for the start of the regular season, MLB.com reports. Analysis: Gipson-Long strained his left oblique early in spring training but has been throwing over the past few weeks as he attempts to get back to full health. It looks like the righty should be good in time for Opening Day, though it remains to be seen what his role might be. The Tigers added depth to their rotation in the form of Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander, so Gipson-Long would likely need to settle for a bullpen spot if he makes the MLB roster.
Will Vest Will Vest Joins WBC roster Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 8:19 PM Vest will join Team USA ahead of the quarterfinal round of the World Baseball Classic, replacing his teammate Tarik Skubal, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Skubal went back and forth on sticking around with Team USA, but with the lefty ultimately departing the roster, the team will replace him with Vest, who posted a 3.01 ERA and 75 strikeouts across 68.2 regular-season innings for Detroit last year. Vest gives the United States a reliable veteran option who can pitch some high-leverage innings out of the bullpen. The U.S. is set to face Canada on Friday, and it's possible that Vest will be used in that game, though it remains to be seen exactly what his usage will look like right out of the gate.
Spencer Torkelson Spencer Torkelson Back in action Thursday Thu, Mar 12, 2026, 8:11 AM Torkelson (forearm) will start at first base and bat cleanup in Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Yankees. Analysis: Torkelson had to be removed from a simulated game Tuesday after being hit on the right forearm by a pitch. He managed to avoid fractures, though, and is back in action after a day to rest. Torkelson is 4-for-19 with two doubles and a 1:6 BB:K so far this spring for the Tigers.
Spencer Torkelson Spencer Torkelson Tending to bruised forearm Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 3:15 PM Torkelson was diagnosed with a bruised right forearm after being hit by a pitch in a simulated game Tuesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports. Analysis: Torkelson didn't play in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Twins in Grapefruit League play, but the first baseman should check back into the Tigers' spring lineup within a few days once the soreness in his arm subsides.
Beau Brieske Beau Brieske Faces hitters Tuesday Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 11:06 AM Brieske (ribcage) faced hitters in a simulated game Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Brieske was lifted from his most recent spring appearance March 2 due to right ribcage tightness, but assuming he experienced no discomfort during Tuesday's sim game, he could be cleared to rejoin the Grapefruit League pitching schedule within the next few days. The right-hander will likely be in line for a low-leverage role out of the Detroit bullpen if he's able to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Trey Sweeney Trey Sweeney Taking part in hitting progression Wed, Mar 11, 2026, 11:03 AM The Tigers announced Tuesday that Sweeney (shoulder) is completing a return-to-play hitting progression, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Sweeney might be ready to make his Grapefruit League debut as a designated hitter at some point in the near future, but the Tigers haven't provided word regarding when the shortstop might be ready to begin throwing again as he works his way back from a left shoulder strain. Detroit is unlikely to carry Sweeney on its Opening Day roster if he's available only as a DH, so at this point, he could be trending toward a stint on the injured list to begin the season.
Ty Madden Ty Madden Solid so far this spring Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 7:30 PM Madden allowed a run on two hits across 3.2 innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Red Sox. He walked three and struck out two. Analysis: The three walks were a bit worrisome, but Madden otherwise held his own against a Boston lineup featuring a number of regular starters. The righty has allowed just the one run across 5.2 innings this spring. Madden, who missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from a right rotator cuff strain, has already been optioned to Triple-A Toledo, and the team will likely want to see him get some innings under his belt there to shake off rust. However, Madden could be an option for an MLB promotion at some point down the road if he looks good in the minors.
Corey Julks Corey Julks Playing well this spring Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 7:22 PM Across 10 Grapefruit League games, Julks has gone 7-for-16 with three walks, a double, a triple and three home runs. Analysis: Julks was a non-roster invitee to Detroit's camp, but he's making a decent case for himself so far. The veteran outfielder spent most of last season playing for Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization, and he's just a career .234/.288/.337 hitter at the MLB level, so offensive regression could be coming soon. However, Julks will at the very least give the Tigers some organizational depth, and he could get a shot at the majors at some point down the road if a need arises.