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Framber Valdez Framber Valdez Tigers-O's rained out
Sat, May 23, 2026, 11:53 AM
Valdez and the Tigers won't face the Orioles on Saturday, as the game was postponed due to rain.
Analysis: Detroit and Baltimore will play twice Sunday to make up for Saturday's contest, and Valdez will likely get the nod to start one of the two games. The 32-year-old southpaw has conceded 16 runs (13 earned) in 14.2 innings across his last three starts, but he'll have an opportunity to bounce back against an Orioles lineup that's logged a .684 OPS since the beginning of the month. |
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Jack Flaherty Jack Flaherty Takes another loss Friday
Sat, May 23, 2026, 8:47 AM
Flaherty (0-6) allowed six runs (three earned) on eight hits across 3.1 innings to take the loss Friday against the Orioles. He didn't walk anyone and struck out seven.
Analysis: The seven strikeouts were nice, but Flaherty once again struggled overall as he remained winless on the season. The righty has allowed at least three earned runs in five of his last six outings, and he has an ugly 8.37 ERA overall during that stretch. With Tarik Skubal (elbow), Justin Verlander (hip), Reese Olson (shoulder) and Jackson Jobe (elbow) all out with injuries, Detroit doesn't have a ton of other rotation options at the moment, so Flaherty will likely stick as a starter, but fantasy managers can look elsewhere for now. He'll look to turn things around in his next appearance, which is scheduled for Thursday against the Angels. |
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Hao-Yu Lee Hao-Yu Lee Drives in two Friday
Sat, May 23, 2026, 8:39 AM
Lee went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: Lee hit an RBI double in the top of the third inning, then followed with an RBI single in the fourth. With Gleyber Torres (oblique) out since early May, Lee has started the last four games for the scuffling Tigers as they look to jump start the offense with some different lineup combinations. The rookie infielder has struggled a bit with a .222/.269/.349 slash line across 24 contests, but if Detroit continues to fall out of contention, the team may give younger players like Lee even more playing time. |
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Kevin McGonigle Kevin McGonigle Hits leadoff home run in loss
Sat, May 23, 2026, 8:31 AM
McGonigle went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-4 loss to the Orioles.
Analysis: McGonigle started the scoring with his third home run of the season to lead off the game. The 21-year-old rookie infielder has slowed down a bit with a .222/.349/.306 slash line across his last 10 contests, though his overall slash line of .285/.393/.419 still looks quite good across the board. McGonigle may continue to have some ups and downs as he adjusts to MLB pitching, but he seems to be locked in as Detroit's preferred leadoff option, giving him a fairly high fantasy floor. |
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Burch Smith Burch Smith Placed on injured list
Fri, May 22, 2026, 5:53 PM
The Tigers placed Smith on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.
Analysis: Smith gave up one run in two-thirds of an inning during his appearance Thursday and came away from his outing with soreness in his shoulder. He received a cortisone injection Friday to help treat the issue, but he won't be able to avoid spending a couple of weeks on the injured list. Brenan Hanifee was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to fill the open spot in Detroit's bullpen. |
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Brenan Hanifee Brenan Hanifee Recalled by Detroit
Fri, May 22, 2026, 5:53 PM
The Tigers recalled Hanifee from Triple-A Toledo on Friday.
Analysis: The move corresponds with the Tigers placing Burch Smith on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. It's the second call-up this season for Haniffee, who has allowed two runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out five across 9.1 major-league innings. In 11 appearances in Triple-A, the right-hander has posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 13:6 K:BB across 12 innings. |
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Burch Smith Burch Smith Dealing with shoulder soreness
Fri, May 22, 2026, 3:59 PM
Smith has been diagnosed with right shoulder soreness and received a cortisone injection Friday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: It's unclear if Smith will require a trip to the injured list, but Brenan Hanifee will be the next man up if Smith heads to the IL. Smith allowed one run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning Thursday against the Guardians and figures to be unavailable for Friday's series opener against the Orioles. |
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Paul DeJong Paul DeJong Undergoing hamstring surgery
Thu, May 21, 2026, 8:12 PM
DeJong is set to undergo season-ending hamstring surgery, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Analysis: DeJong was placed on the full-season injured list with Triple-A Toledo on Thursday with what was described as a leg injury. It is now understood to be a hamstring issue, and the 32-year-old will now set his sights on being ready to go for spring training in 2027. |
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Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Provides offense Thursday
Thu, May 21, 2026, 6:54 PM
Dingler went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Guardians.
Analysis: Dingler was the only Detroit player with multiple hits and provided all of the team's offense in their sixth straight loss. The catcher's batting average has dipped some after a strong start in that category, but he's continued to hit for power with three home runs over his last 10 games. That's pushed Dingler up to nine long balls this season in 45 games after going deep 13 times in 126 regular-season contests last year. |
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Casey Mize Casey Mize Takes tough-luck loss Thursday
Thu, May 21, 2026, 6:48 PM
Mize (2-3) allowed two runs on four hits across 6.2 innings and took the loss in Thursday's 3-1 defeat to the Guardians. He struck out four and didn't walk anyone.
Analysis: Making his second start after missing a few weeks due to an adductor strain, Mize pitched well, but he got little run support and was outdueled by Joey Cantillo and the Cleveland bullpen. While he doesn't have the wins to show for it yet, Mize has been sharp this year with a 2.47 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 43 strikeouts in 43.2 innings across eight starts. The righty will look to keep up his strong play in his next outing, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the Angels at home. |
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Paul DeJong Paul DeJong Goes on full-season IL at Triple-A
Thu, May 21, 2026, 1:14 PM
DeJong has been placed on the full-season injured list at Triple-A Toledo with a leg injury, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: DeJong was injured May 12 just a week after signing a minor-league deal with the Tigers. The club has not revealed the exact nature of the veteran infielder's injury, but whatever it is was enough to knock him out for the rest of the season. DeJong will be a free agent this winter. |
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Justin Verlander Justin Verlander Rehab 'inching forward'
Thu, May 21, 2026, 11:52 AM
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Thursday that Verlander (hip) is "inching forward more than sprinting forward" with his rehab, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Verlander completed a four-inning, 62-pitch simulated game Wednesday and is slated to face hitters again next week after doing some throwing this weekend. Hinch noted that the veteran hurler has taken "no steps back" but added that Verlander is not yet ready to face major-league hitters. It seems the 43-year-old could still be at least a couple weeks away from rejoining the Tigers' rotation. Verlander is working his way back from left hip inflammation. |
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Troy Melton Troy Melton Could return to pitch Sunday
Thu, May 21, 2026, 10:59 AM
Melton (elbow) could be activated from the 60-day injured list to pitch Sunday in Baltimore, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Melton has looked terrific on his rehab assignment, collecting a 1.54 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 16:2 K:BB in 11.2 innings covering four starts, three with Single-A Lakeland and one with Triple-A Toledo. He reached 63 pitches in his last outing Tuesday and sat in the mid- to upper-90s with his fastball. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Melton will travel with the team to Baltimore, but the skipper stressed that "no decision has been made yet" regarding when Melton will make his season debut. Melton does looks poised to make his next appearance in the majors, but it's still unclear whether that outing will come Sunday or early next week. If Melton doesn't start Sunday's game, Keider Montero would be in line to take the ball on regular rest. Melton has been out all season with a right elbow strain. |
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Tarik Skubal Tarik Skubal Another bullpen session Thursday
Thu, May 21, 2026, 10:36 AM
Skubal (elbow) threw a successful 35-pitch bullpen session Thursday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: It's at least the third time he's thrown from the mound since he had surgery just over two weeks ago to remove a loose body from his elbow. Skubal upped the intensity of his throwing Thursday and was able to reach the velocity goal he set prior to the session. The two-time Cy Young winner continues to make rapid progress and should be cleared to face hitters soon. |
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Zach McKinstry Zach McKinstry Collects two hits Wednesday
Wed, May 20, 2026, 9:57 PM
McKinstry went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Guardians.
Analysis: McKinstry was the only Detroit player with multiple hits, and it was his first time doing so since all the way back on April 4. It's been a struggle offensively for the veteran utility player, who is batting just .186 with a .503 OPS this season. McKinstry was much better during the 2025 regular season with a .259 average and .771 OPS, but he has career marks of just .229 and .671, respectively, and 2026 has seen regression set in. |
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Will Vest Will Vest Blows save Wednesday
Wed, May 20, 2026, 9:51 PM
Vest allowed a run on two hits across an inning of work and was charged with a blown save in Wednesday's 3-2, 10-inning loss to the Guardians. He struck out one.
Analysis: The Tigers decided to use regular closer Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning against the top of Cleveland's lineup to protect a 1-0 lead. That left the ninth for Vest, and the veteran allowed the lead to slip away on a pair of hits and an RBI groundout. Vest has struggled this year with a 5.93 ERA across 13.2 innings, which should leave no doubt that Jensen is ahead of him in the bullpen pecking order moving forward. |
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Drew Anderson Drew Anderson Sharp in first start
Wed, May 20, 2026, 8:43 PM
Anderson didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Guardians, allowing two hits and two walks over 4.2 scoreless innings. He struck out seven.
Analysis: Making his first start of the season, Anderson was limited to 63 pitches, but he certainly made the most of them, blanking the Guardians while logging a career-high seven strikeouts. After giving up 10 runs in his first 11.1 innings this year, Anderson has posted a sparkling 1.77 ERA over his last nine appearances (20.1 innings). The 32-year-old Anderson certainly seems to have earned another look in Detroit's rotation after Wednesday's outing -- he'd currently line up for a home matchup with the Angels. |
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Justin Verlander Justin Verlander Builds up to four innings
Wed, May 20, 2026, 6:37 PM
Verlander (hip) completed a four-inning, 62-pitch simulated game Wednesday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: In lieu of a rehab assignment, Verlander has remained with the Tigers and has been getting gradually stretched back out through simulated games. The 43-year-old righty has needed more time than expected to recover from left hip inflammation, but he may need to complete just one more sim game before Detroit brings him back from the 60-day injured list around when he's first eligible at the beginning of June. According to Beck, Verlander's fastball velocity sat around 92-to-93 miles per hour during Wednesday's throwing session, putting him a tick or two behind his average velocity during his time with the Giants in the 2025 season. |
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Gleyber Torres Gleyber Torres Still unable to swing at full speed
Wed, May 20, 2026, 3:26 PM
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Wednesday that Torres (oblique) is still unable to swing a bat at full effort, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Torres' left oblique strain no longer gives him any trouble during fielding drills, but the second baseman won't be sent out on a rehab assignment until he can swing a bat at full speed without discomfort. He should be in line for a quick turnaround once he clears that hurdle, but for now, Torres is in a holding pattern in his recovery. |
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Wenceel Perez Wenceel Perez Exiting starting lineup
Wed, May 20, 2026, 1:57 PM
Perez is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Guardians.
Analysis: Perez will begin the contest on the bench after starting each of the last four games. Zach McKinstry will draw the start in right field for the Tigers. |
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