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Zack Short Zack Short Traded to Tigers
Fri, May 1, 2026, 9:20 AM
The Tigers acquired Short from the Nationals on Friday in exchange for cash considerations, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Short has been playing at Triple-A Rochester, where he's slashed .200/.292/.291 with one home run and an 8:17 BB:K over 21 games. He is not on the 40-man roster but will provide the Tigers with some experienced utility depth at Triple-A Toledo. |
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Zach McKinstry Zach McKinstry Begins rehab assignment
Fri, May 1, 2026, 8:40 AM
McKinstry (hip) went 0-for-3 with a strikeout Thursday in his first rehab game with Single-A Lakeland.
Analysis: McKinstry has been cleared for game action after missing the past two weeks with left hip/abdominal inflammation. He didn't play a full game Thursday, and the Tigers likely want him to do that before he's activated, but McKinstry should return to Detroit's active roster soon. |
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Kyle Finnegan Kyle Finnegan Logs first save
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 2:50 PM
Finnegan earned the save in Thursday's 5-2 win over Atlanta, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis: After Kenley Jansen was charged with a blown save Wednesday, it was Finnegan who got the call in the ninth inning Thursday with the Tigers up by three. The right-hander worked around a one-out single to lock down his first save with Detroit. The 34-year-old Finnegan is off to a stellar start this season -- he's allowed just one run through his first 15.2 innings. While the veteran Jansen should have a fairly long leash as the Tigers' primary closer, Finnegan is certainly a name to watch should his struggles continue. |
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Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Sharp vs. Atlanta
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 2:45 PM
Valdez didn't factor into the decision Thursday against Atlanta, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out eight.
Analysis: It was a strong bounce-back effort from Valdez, who didn't issue any free passes after walking a season-high eight batters in his last outing against the Reds. Valdez has held opponents to two runs or fewer in six of his first seven starts with the Tigers. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.35 with a 1.26 WHIP and 32:14 K:BB across 40.1 innings. Valdez is currently lined up to face the Red Sox at home his next time out. |
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Thayron Liranzo Thayron Liranzo Back in action at Double-A
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 10:15 AM
Liranzo (oblique) has gone 2-for-8 with two doubles and an RBI in two games since being reinstated from Double-A Erie's 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Analysis: Liranzo sustained a right oblique strain late in spring training and opened the season on the shelf, but he was cleared to make his 2026 debut for Erie this week after wrapping up a six-game rehab assignment in the Florida State League. The 22-year-old was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster over the winter, but he likely sits fourth on the organizational depth chart behind big-league catchers Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers and Triple-A backstop Eduardo Valencia. |
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Tyler Owens Tyler Owens Healthy again at Double-A
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 10:11 AM
Owens (hip) has yielded one earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out four batters across four innings in three appearances for Double-A Erie since being assigned to the affiliate April 21 after being activated from Triple-A Toledo's 7-day injured list.
Analysis: Owens attended big-league spring training with the Tigers but was brought along slowly in camp while working his way back from the arthroscopic right hip surgery he underwent last year. The right-hander opened the season on the shelf at Triple-A but was cleared to join the Tigers' Double-A affiliate after he made five rehab appearances in the Florida State League. |
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Wenceel Perez Wenceel Perez Out of Detroit lineup
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 9:05 AM
Perez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.
Analysis: Perez has been playing fairly regularly between right and center field since he was recalled, but he'll take seat Thursday. Matt Vierling will occupy center field for Detroit in the series finale. |
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Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Sitting out Thursday
Thu, Apr 30, 2026, 9:03 AM
Dingler is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.
Analysis: Dingler started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he'll get a breather for Thursday's matinee. Jake Rogers is behind the dish and batting ninth as the Tigers try to avoid the sweep. |
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Tarik Skubal Tarik Skubal Fans seven in no-decision
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 10:42 PM
Skubal allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over seven innings in a no-decision versus Atlanta on Wednesday.
Analysis: Skubal gave up a two-run home run to Ozzie Albies in the first inning, but the star southpaw settled down after that. That was just the second homer Skubal's given up all season, and it's just the third time in seven starts he's been tagged for multiple runs. Detroit's ace has a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 45:6 K:BB across 43.1 innings this season. He's lined up for a home start against the Red Sox early next week, which positions him for a potential two-start week. |
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Kenley Jansen Kenley Jansen Blows another save Wednesday
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 9:23 PM
Jansen (0-2) allowed two runs on a hit and a walk while not retiring any batters to blow the save and take the loss Wednesday against Atlanta.
Analysis: Staked to a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jansen came unraveled quickly. He walked Ozzie Albies to start the frame, then served up a walkoff home run to Matt Olson. It was Jansen's second straight blown save opportunity and his third already this year in nine chances to go along with a 6.14 ERA. The veteran's impressive MLB track record suggests he'll be given some leeway in the closer role, though he has not been overly effective so far in his first season with the Tigers. |
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Riley Greene Riley Greene Homers in loss
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 9:17 PM
Greene went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Atlanta.
Analysis: Detroit only had five hits as a team, and Greene's was easily the most impactful as it gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead at the time. The talented outfielder is starting to get his power stroke going with three home runs across his last six games. During that span, Greene has gone 8-for-23 overall with four RBI and four runs scored. On the season, he's now slashing .291/.391/.473, and he once again looks like Detroit's offensive engine. |
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Matt Vierling Matt Vierling Heading to bench Wednesday
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 5:36 PM
Vierling is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Analysis: Vierling had started each of the last four games, going a collective 1-for-14 with a 3:1 BB:K. Though he'll hit the bench, Vierling's outlook for playing time appears to have improved with Javier Baez (ankle) landing on the injured list Wednesday. |
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Enmanuel De Jesus Enmanuel De Jesus Rejoins big-league bullpen
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 3:40 PM
The Tigers recalled De Jesus from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.
Analysis: De Jesus was sent down one week ago following a particularly ugly relief appearance. He turned in two scoreless frames for Toledo after the demotion and will now get another chance with the big club. |
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Jace Jung Jace Jung Called up, drawing start Wednesday
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 3:40 PM
The Tigers recalled Jung from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. He'll start at designated hitter and will bat ninth in Detroit's matchup with Atlanta.
Analysis: Though he'll be making his 2026 debut for Detroit in a non-defensive role, Jung will be an option for the Tigers at three infield spots (first base, second base and third base) while he's up with the big club. With Javier Baez (ankle) landing on the injured list in a corresponding move, the Tigers have an opening the everyday lineup, but it's not clear if Jung will be in line for regular starts or if Detroit will lean on a committee of players to replace Baez. Jung has struggled in his limited opportunities at the big-league level over the previous two seasons and gotten off to a so-so start to the campaign at Toledo, producing a .222/.358/.364 slash line and 103 wRC+ while striking out at 22.8 percent clip over 123 plate appearances. |
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Javier Baez Javier Baez Sidelined by sprained ankle
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 3:36 PM
The Tigers placed Baez on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right ankle sprain.
Analysis: Baez suffered the injury while trying to leg out a base hit in Tuesday's loss to Atlanta and was carted off the field. The Tigers haven't revealed the severity of Baez's sprain, but he's likely to need more than just a minimum 10-day absence. Wenceel Perez and Matt Vierling should see upticks in playing time while Baez is shelved. |
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Casey Mize Casey Mize Lands on IL with adductor strain
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 3:14 PM
The Tigers placed Mize on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a right adductor strain.
Analysis: After exiting midway through the third inning in his start in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta due to a tight groin, Mize was diagnosed with the adductor strain following an MRI on Wednesday. According to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Mize's strain is of the Grade 1 variety, offering hope that the right-hander may be ready to able to return from the IL in close to the minimum amount of time. Justin Verlander (hip) has been ramping up his throwing program and could eventually beat Mize back from the IL to claim the open spot in the rotation, but the Tigers may have to turn to Sawyer Gipson-Long or Drew Anderson to make a spot start when Mize's turn comes up Sunday versus the Rangers. |
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Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Two hits in loss to Atlanta
Wed, Apr 29, 2026, 8:35 AM
Dingler went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.
Analysis: The two-hit night snapped a 1-for-21 skid at the plate for Dingler, as he rapped his fifth double of the season in the eighth inning. The 27-year-old is slashing .253/.337/.483 with five home runs, 19 RBI, 11 runs scored and a 7:16 BB:K across 100 plate appearances. His peripheral numbers suggest he should be experiencing even more success at the plate, as Dingler is in the 92nd percentile or better in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, barrel rate and hard-hit percentage. He's also been one of the best defensive catchers this season. |
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Burch Smith Burch Smith Strikes out four Tuesday
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 9:12 PM
Smith allowed a run on two hits and a walk across two innings of relief in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta. He struck out four.
Analysis: Smith is off to a nice start with the Tigers since getting the call from Triple-A Toledo, as he's allowed just one run in three appearances, and he's struck out eight batters already across 5.1 innings. The 36-year-old had toiled in the minors since last appearing in the majors back in 2024, and he's not yet a true high-leverage bullpen option in Detroit, but he could earn a more significant role if he continues to pitch well. |
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Wenceel Perez Wenceel Perez Goes deep in loss
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 9:05 PM
Perez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.
Analysis: Perez entered the game as a defensive replacement with Javier Baez departing due to an ankle injury, and the former got Detroit on the board with his home run in the top of the ninth inning. The 26-year-old outfielder has gone deep twice in 15 games since getting recalled from Triple-A Toledo, but he's done very little else offensively. Perez is slashing just .116/.156/.412, which limits his fantasy appeal, though he could see more starts in the short term if Baez has to miss time. |
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Javier Baez Javier Baez Carted off field
Tue, Apr 28, 2026, 8:03 PM
Baez was removed from Tuesday's game against Atlanta with an apparent right ankle injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Analysis: Baez made an awkward slide into first base during the fifth inning of Tuesday's contest and had to leave the game in a cart. The Tigers will presumably send him in for imaging to determine the severity of his injury, at which point more will be known regarding his short-term availability. Any missed starts for Baez would likely lead to increased playing time in the outfield for Wenceel Perez and also make it easier for Gleyber Torres, Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle to make regular starts in the infield. |
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