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Kyle Finnegan Kyle Finnegan Looks like setup option Wed, Feb 4, 2026, 9:23 PM With Kenley Jansen the favorite to open the season as Detroit's closer, per the Tiger Territory podcast, Finnegan will likely need to settle for a setup role. Analysis: Jansen leads all active MLB players and is fourth all time with 476 career saves, so it's not too surprising that manager A.J. Hinch figures to look the veteran's way first. Finnegan had 24 saves last season, with four of those coming with the Tigers after arriving via trade before the deadline, but it looks like his 2026 total will be significantly lower, unless Jansen gets hurt or struggles out of the gate. Detroit's 2025 saves leader, Will Vest, also figures to be in the setup mix in the seventh and eighth innings.
Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Inks three-year deal with Tigers Wed, Feb 4, 2026, 8:04 PM Valdez signed a three-year, $115 million contract with the Tigers on Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Analysis: The addition of Valdez gives the Tigers one of the most formidable left-handed starter duos in baseball, as he will now join Tarik Skubal atop Detroit's rotation. Valdez, 32, turned in a 3.66 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 192 innings with the Astros last season. Although those ratios are some of the worst he's recorded over his eight-year career, he remains a dependable fantasy asset after making 31 starts and topping 185 strikeouts in three of the past four seasons.
Kenley Jansen Kenley Jansen Named favorite to close by manager Wed, Feb 4, 2026, 3:35 PM Tigers manager A.J. Hinch indicated Wednesday on the Tiger Territory podcast that Jansen will open the season as the team's favorite to serve as closer. Analysis: Speaking about his high-leverage relief options, Hinch said, "I think they're all going to get saves," before adding that "I think we can pretty much guess how it's gonna go given that one of them has a historic number of saves." The latter comment was in reference to Jansen, who is 24 saves away from 500 for his career. It doesn't mean the 38-year-old will finish the 2026 season as the Tigers' closer, but it's a safe bet Jansen will open the year as Hinch's first choice to handle save opportunities. Will Vest and/or Kyle Finnegan would be next-in-line if Jansen slips up. Jansen's strikeout rate dipped to a career-low 24.4 percent in 2025 with the Angels, but he remained effective, posting a 2.59 ERA and 0.95 WHIP while notching 29 saves.
Troy Melton Troy Melton Early favorite for No. 5 spot? Mon, Feb 2, 2026, 9:49 PM Melton is likely to enter spring training in a strong position to earn Detroit's final rotation spot, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Analysis: This echoes what Detroit's front office said at the end of last season, and an Opening Day rotation spot would certainly be warranted after Melton posted a 2.76 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 45.2 innings as a rookie in 2025. The 25-year-old only made four starts last year, with his other 12 appearances coming in relief, so he'll likely need to stretch out some in spring training and show that he's capable of a larger workload. If Melton does slot into the rotation, he'll likely be behind Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty and Reese Olson, but any chance to start would give the former a boost in fantasy value.
Reese Olson Reese Olson Expected to be ready for camp Mon, Feb 2, 2026, 9:42 PM Olson is expected to be healthy for the start of spring training after getting shut down in late July due to a right shoulder strain, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. Analysis: Olson missed the last two months of the 2025 regular season as well as Detroit's playoff run, but the righty started a throwing program in December and is trending in the right direction heading into 2026. Entering his fourth year in the majors, Olson has yet to surpass 112.1 innings, though he's also posted a sub-4.00 ERA each season, which gives a glimpse at what he's capable of when healthy. The 26-year-old figures to slot in behind Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize and Jack Flaherty in the Tigers' rotation, and he could take a step forward in 2026 from a fantasy perspective if he's able to increase his workload.
Corey Julks Corey Julks Inks minors deal with Tigers Thu, Jan 22, 2026, 11:24 AM The Tigers signed Julks to a minor-league contract Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. Analysis: A career .234/.288/.337 hitter in parts of three big-league seasons, Julks spent most of 2025 at Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization, where he slashed .300/.374/.477 with 15 homers and 18 steals. He will give the Tigers some experienced outfield depth at Triple-A Toledo.
Phil Bickford Phil Bickford Gets minors deal from Tigers Tue, Jan 20, 2026, 6:48 PM Bickford signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Tuesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. Analysis: Bickford spent time with the Cubs' and Phillies' Triple-A affiliates in 2025, posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.98 WHIP to go with a 54:17 K:BB across 48 total innings. The 30-year-old righty will likely spend the majority of 2026 at Triple-A Toledo but could return to the big leagues if he continues to find success in the minors.
Bryan Sammons Bryan Sammons Latching on with Detroit Mon, Jan 12, 2026, 10:11 PM Sammons is signing a minor-league contract with the Tigers that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports. Analysis: Sammons will return to Detroit after spending a season overseas pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. His last big-league appearance took place in 2024 with the Tigers when he posted a 3.62 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 18 strikeouts across 27.1 innings. Sammons will now have a chance to win a major-league roster spot, presumably as a reliever.
Tyler Holton Tyler Holton Avoids arbitration with Detroit Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 4:24 PM Holton and the Tigers agreed to a one-year, $1.575 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Holton was a solid presence for the Tigers' bullpen in 2025, making a career-high 70 appearances (six starts as an opener) during the regular season while posting a 3.66 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 18 holds and a 64:17 K:BB across 78.2 innings. The 29-year-old southpaw should continue to operate in high-leverage situations for Detroit in 2026.
Kerry Carpenter Kerry Carpenter Gets deal for 2026 Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 4:24 PM Carpenter agreed to a one-year, $3.275 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Carpenter didn't maintain the same efficiency in 2025 (.788 OPS) that he displayed during his injury-plagued 2024 campaign (.932), but he still managed to set a new career high with 26 homers this past season while driving in 62 RBI and scoring 66 runs himself. The 28-year-old outfielder holds value as a home-run threat against right-handed pitchers but is likely to ride the bench when matched up against a lefty starter.
Casey Mize Casey Mize Avoids arbitration Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:42 PM Mize agreed to a one-year, $6.15 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: The right-hander was a reliable rotation piece for Detroit in 2025, making 28 regular-season starts with a 3.87 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 139:36 K:BB across 149 innings. He doubled his previous career high with 14 wins and should be a key starter for the Tigers again in 2026.
Zach McKinstry Zach McKinstry Reaches deal with Tigers Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:20 PM McKinstry agreed to a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: McKinstry took a massive step forward at the plate in 2025, finishing the year with a .259/.333/.438 slash line alongside 12 homers, 49 RBI, 68 runs scored and 19 stolen bases across 511 regular-season plate appearances. He doesn't seem to have a clear path to playing time at any one position in 2026, though he should still be able to crack the starting nine regularly thanks to his defensive versatility.
Will Vest Will Vest Avoids arbitration with DET Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 1:26 PM Vest agreed to a one-year, $3.95 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: The right-hander will more than double his salary from 2025, during which he posted a 3.01 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 75:22 K:BB over 68.2 regular-season innings while converting 23 of 30 save chances. Vest should see some save opportunities in 2026, but he could be used more often as a setup man given that Detroit signed Kyle Finnegan and Kenley Jansen this winter.
Riley Greene Riley Greene Nets $5 million for 2026 Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 1:20 PM Greene agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Greene receives a nice raise for 2026 in his first year of arbitration eligibility. The outfielder set career highs with 36 home runs, 111 RBI and 84 runs in 157 regular-season games in 2025, though he also had a career-worst 30.7 percent strikeout rate.
Spencer Torkelson Spencer Torkelson Avoids arbitration with Tigers Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 1:04 PM Torkelson signed a one-year, $4.075 million contract with the Tigers on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Torkelson will bring in a $3.2893 million raise during his first year of arbitration eligibility after enjoying his best year at the plate in 2025, during which he slashed .240/.333/.456 with 31 homers, 78 RBI and 82 runs scored across 649 regular-season plate appearances. He's a safe bet to continue operating as Detroit's everyday first baseman in 2026 while batting near the middle of the order.
Burch Smith Burch Smith Latches on with Tigers Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 11:57 AM The Tigers signed Smith to a minor-league contract Wednesday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Smith will get $1.5 million if in the majors, with $250,000 more available in incentives. The 25-year-old spent most of 2025 at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization, posting a 7.08 ERA and 26:12 K:BB over 20.1 frames. Smith made 50 relief appearances between the Marlins and Orioles in 2024, holding a 4.95 ERA and 46:12 K:BB across 56.1 innings. He'll likely begin the upcoming season in the bullpen at Triple-A Toledo.
Scott Effross Scott Effross Agrees to NRI deal with Detroit Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 9:24 AM The Tigers signed Effross to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: Effross has had a difficult time staying healthy the last few years and has yielded 12 runs over just 14 innings over the last two seasons at the major-league level. The 32-year-old spent much of the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees organization, posting a 6.37 ERA and 23:10 K:BB over 29.2 frames.
Dugan Darnell Dugan Darnell Re-signs with Tigers Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 9:19 AM The Tigers re-signed Darnell (hip) to a minor-league contract Monday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports. Analysis: Darnell was claimed off waivers and then non-tendered by the Tigers in November, but he will return to the organization on a minor-league pact. The righty reliever underwent hip surgery in September and it's unclear when he might be ready to pitch in games.
Justyn-Henry Malloy Justyn-Henry Malloy Designated for assignment Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 6:26 PM Malloy was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Saturday. Analysis: The Tigers needed to make room on the 40-man roster for recent re-signee Kyle Finnegan, and Malloy has ended up being the cut. Malloy has struggled during his time in the majors so far, posting a .656 OPS with nine home runs, 38 RBI, 33 runs and one stolen base over 123 games spanning 357 plate appearances. He's also posted a 32.8 percent strikeout rate, though he has shown an ability to take a free pass with a 12.0 percent walk rate. That and his moderate power could make him a target for other MLB clubs.
Enmanuel De Jesus Enmanuel De Jesus Lands NRI deal with Tigers Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 1:17 PM The Tigers signed De Jesus to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. Analysis: De Jesus made two relief appearances for the Marlins in 2023 before spending the last two seasons pitching in Korea, where he posted a 3.81 ERA and 343:88 K:BB over 335 innings. The left-hander will make $1.3 million if in the majors, but De Jesus is likelier to begin the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Toledo.