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Kenley Jansen Kenley Jansen Expected back Friday
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 10:57 AM
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Jansen (pelvis) remains on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Hinch admitted that Jansen was "rusty" during his one and only rehab outing with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, yielding three earned runs while recording only two outs. However, the right pelvic inflammation that sent Jansen to the IL last month was not an issue, so the veteran reliever will return Friday in Cleveland when first eligible. Jansen has had an up-and-down 2026 campaign with a 4.80 ERA and four blown saves, but there's a good chance he'll get another opportunity to serve as the Tigers' primary closer. |
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Kenley Jansen Kenley Jansen Struggles in rehab outing
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 9:57 AM
Jansen (pelvis) retired two batters -- one via strikeout -- and yielded three earned runs on two hits, one walk and a wild pitch during his rehab appearance Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo.
Analysis: Jansen took the hill for his first game action since May 27, when he exited early in an appearance against the Angels due to a right groin injury, which was relabeled as pelvic inflammation upon his move to the injured list a day later. The right-hander was able to put away the first two batters he faced on just four pitches, but he then allowed the next three hitters to reach base before he was lifted from the contest. Jansen spotted just 12 of his 22 pitches for strikes on the evening, so the Tigers may want to see him show more efficiency in another rehab appearance before bringing him back from the IL. |
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Burch Smith Burch Smith Completes side session
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 9:49 AM
Smith (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Smith is working his way through a throwing progression after being placed on the 15-day injured list May 22 due to right shoulder inflammation. He'll likely need to complete another side session or two before advancing to facing live hitters and then heading out on a rehab assignment. Smith is without a definitive timeline for a return, but if he steers clear of any setbacks, he'll have a shot at rejoining the Detroit bullpen before the end of June. |
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Justin Verlander Justin Verlander Gives up four homers in rehab start
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 9:43 AM
Verlander (hip) struck out three and allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks across 5.2 innings in a rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo.
Analysis: After tossing five shutout innings and 64 pitches in his first rehab outing with Toledo on June 2, Verlander wasn't quite as sharp in the second start of his rehab assignment. Though he was able to stretch out to 86 pitches and averaged 92.9 mph with his four-seamer during the outing, Verlander struggled to execute, particularly with his slider. He allowed four home runs in the start, three which came off sliders and traveled at least 400 feet. Despite the shaky performance, Verlander could still be cleared to return from the 60-day injured list during next week's series in Houston to make his first start with the Tigers since March 30. He's expected to throw a bullpen session in front of the Tigers' brass over the weekend before a decision is made on his next step. |
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Casey Mize Casey Mize Tentatively lined up for Sunday
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 9:24 AM
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Mize (adductor) will likely be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Sunday in Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Mize will need to complete a bullpen session Thursday with no issues and bounce back well Friday before officially being cleared to take the ball Sunday. The right-hander looked good during what's likely to be his lone rehab start, tossing five frames of one-run ball with five strikeouts with Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday. Mize has been out since late May with right adductor inflammation. |
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Tarik Skubal Tarik Skubal Confirmed to return Saturday
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 9:18 AM
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed Thursday that Skubal (elbow) will rejoin the rotation Saturday in Cleveland, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: All told, Skubal will have been sidelined only 38 days after having surgery in early May to remove a loose body from his left elbow. The left-hander was excellent in his lone rehab start, striking out six over five scoreless frames for High-A West Michigan on Sunday. Skubal threw only 54 pitches in that outing, so he will be relatively limited from a workload perspective against the Guardians. |
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Matt Vierling Matt Vierling Playing time trending down
Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 8:58 AM
Vierling is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: Vierling was essentially the Tigers' everyday center fielder in May, but he's started just four of nine games since the calendar flipped to June. The Tigers are going with Zach McKinstry in center field for Thursday's series finale. |
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Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Struggles with homers in loss
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 11:17 PM
Valdez (3-5) picked up the loss in Wednesday in the 6-4 defeat to the Twins where he allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings.
Analysis: Valdez gave up two home runs to Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton, which accounted for all of his earned runs in the game. The lefty only pitched 75 pitches before exiting the game and earned his third loss in his last five starts. The All-Star's strikeout percentage this year is down 4.7 percent, which has made it so more runners are on base and Valdez has had to pitch inefficiently in many starts. |
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Beau Brieske Beau Brieske Logs first scoreless outing
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 10:37 PM
Brieske worked around three hits and a walk to toss 1.2 scoreless innings of relief in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.
Analysis: Brieske wasn't particularly sharp, but it was still a step in the right direction for him, as he had allowed three runs in each of his previous two outings this season. The righty had been on the injured list all year after suffering a left adductor strain toward the end of spring training, and it looks like he's still shaking off some rust after returning in late May. Brieske should see his bullpen role grow as he settles in, though he may have limited fantasy upside working in middle relief. |
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Gleyber Torres Gleyber Torres Tallies three hits in loss
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 10:24 PM
Torres went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double and an RBI in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.
Analysis: Torres has been heating up lately with three three-hit performances across his last six games, and he's batting a robust .417 during the stretch. Overall, the veteran infielder now has a .283/.398/.379 slash line in 39 contests, and after missing about a month due to an oblique strain, he once again looks like a reliable fantasy contributor near the top of Detroit's lineup. |
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Kevin McGonigle Kevin McGonigle Shows patient eye, scores twice
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 10:16 PM
McGonigle went 0-for-2 with three walks and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.
Analysis: While he didn't record any hits, McGonigle was still able to get on base frequently due to his good eye at the plate. The rookie now has 42 walks this season in 65 games versus only 38 strikeouts, and his .394 on-base percentage reflects his patient approach. McGonigle is locked in as Detroit's primary leadoff hitter, and he's having a tremendous debut campaign from a fantasy perspective. |
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Jacob Waguespack Jacob Waguespack Dealt to Tigers
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 5:49 PM
The Brewers traded Waguespack to the Tigers on Wednesday in exchange for cash or a player to be named later, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.
Analysis: Waguespack has posted a 1.74 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 20.2 innings at Triple-A Nashville this season. He didn't own a 40-man roster spot with the Brewers, so he'll remain in the minors upon joining his new organization and figures to provide bullpen depth at Triple-A Toledo. |
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Zach McKinstry Zach McKinstry Making third straight start
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 2:10 PM
McKinstry will start in center field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: After earning a Silver Slugger Award as a utility player in 2025, McKinstry has noticed a big drop in production to begin the current season but has begun to show signs of life at the plate since the calendar flipped to June. Through his first five games on the month, McKinstry has gone 5-for-15 with a triple, four walks and four runs. He'll be rewarded with a third consecutive start and appears to have at least temporarily moved ahead of Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez in the pecking order for one of two spots at the bottom of the Detroit lineup. |
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Wenceel Perez Wenceel Perez Sitting again Wednesday
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 2:07 PM
Perez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: Perez will head to the bench for the second day in a row while the Tigers roll out a starting outfield of Riley Greene, Zach McKinstry and Kerry Carpenter from left to right. After producing a .738 OPS over 100 games in 2025, Perez has taken a big step back this season, slashing just .176/.241/.333 across 166 plate appearances. Perez could be relegated to a part-time role until his bat begins to heat up. |
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Matt Vierling Matt Vierling Left out of starting nine
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 2:05 PM
Vierling is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: Vierling will head to the bench after having gone hitless in eight at-bats over his last three games, dropping his average to .208 through 188 plate appearances on the season. Zach McKinstry will get the nod in center field in place of Vierling on Wednesday. |
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Troy Melton Troy Melton Escapes with win despite long balls
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 8:46 AM
Melton (3-0) picked up the win Tuesday, giving up four runs on eight hits over five innings in a 10-4 victory over the Twins. He struck out five without walking a batter.
Analysis: The lack of free passes saved Melton's bacon, as he served up four solo homers on a night when the ball was flying out of Comerica Park. The right-hander has more than held his own in four starts since coming off the IL for his season debut in late May, posting a 2.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 25.2 innings, but with Tarik Skubal (elbow), Casey Mize (thigh) and Justin Verlander (hip) all on track to make their own returns over the next week or so, Melton's spot in the rotation is far from secure. The 25-year-old does appear set to make at least one more start for the Tigers, on the road early next week in Houston. |
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Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Bops two homers in win
Wed, Jun 10, 2026, 8:28 AM
Dingler went 4-for-5 with two home runs, a double, four RBI and three runs Tuesday in the Tigers' 10-4 win over the Twins.
Analysis: After batting just .140 over his final 12 games of May, Dingler has sizzled at the plate since the calendar flipped to June. Dingler has fueled the Tigers' 6-1 start to the month, slashing .393/.438/1.000 with five home runs, 14 RBI and nine runs. The 27-year-old has been an excellent value pick for fantasy managers, as he currently ranks third among all catchers in home runs (16), seventh in runs (32) and first in RBI (48) on the season. |
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Kyle Finnegan Kyle Finnegan Earns ninth hold
Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 10:59 PM
Finnegan tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and earned a hold in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Twins. He walked one and struck out three.
Analysis: Finnegan got the last two batters of the seventh inning and then worked through the eighth for the Tigers. With Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the IL, Finnegan has gotten some run as Detroit's closer, but he's blown four saves in five chances this year. The Tigers have seemingly turned to Will Vest to end games instead, though Finnegan has been effective overall with a 2.01 ERA across 31.1 innings out of the bullpen this season. The righty also leads the team with nine holds. |
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Riley Greene Riley Greene Provides jolt Tuesday
Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 10:46 PM
Greene went 1-for-3 with a walk, a home run, an additional run scored and two total RBI in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Twins.
Analysis: Greene ended a mini 0-for-7 slump over his previous two games with his seventh home run of the season in an easy Detroit win. The star outfielder is batting .316 over his last 10 contests with three long balls, five runs scored and six RBI. It looks like Greene is hitting his stride as he continues to drive the offense for the Tigers, and he remains a top-flight fantasy option. |
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Tarik Skubal Tarik Skubal Could return Saturday
Tue, Jun 9, 2026, 7:53 PM
Skubal (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Skubal struck out six batters in five innings during his rehab start at High-A West Michigan on Sunday, and he said Tuesday that he hasn't had any problems recovering from his appearance. He added that he expects things to go well during his bullpen session Wednesday, and if the Tigers are satisfied with his performance, it could be the final hurdle in his recovery from left elbow surgery. Skubal typically throws a bullpen session three days before he's scheduled to start, so he would be lined up to make his return Saturday against the Guardians in Cleveland. |
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