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Austin Slater Austin Slater Hits first spring home run
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 8:44 PM
Slater went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
Analysis: Slater connected in the third inning for his first home run of the spring slate. The 33-year-old joined the Tigers earlier this month on a minor-league contract with a chance to compete for an Opening Day roster spot during camp. Slater had an OPS under .650 each of the last two seasons with a batting average under .220, so he doesn't figure to offer a ton of offense. However, the veteran is a versatile defender who could carve out a utility role in Detroit if he strings together more good performances in spring training. |
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Kerry Carpenter Kerry Carpenter To see more work against lefties?
Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 8:49 AM
Carpenter only logged 60 at-bats against left-handed pitchers last season, but he could see more opportunities in 2026, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Carpenter is just a .207 career hitter against lefties in the regular season, and he batted .217 (13-for-60) with 14 strikeouts against same-handed pitching last year, though three of those hits left the yard. It's that power potential that could keep the 28-year-old on the field against southpaws, and he's been an elite offensive weapon against righties throughout his career. When the Tigers do decide to bench Carpenter against lefties, Jahmai Jones, Matt Vierling and Austin Slater are among the top options to receive at-bats. More playing time against southpaws could raise Carpenter's fantasy ceiling in 2026, at least in terms of home runs and other counting stats, though his batting average may suffer. |
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Eduardo Valencia Eduardo Valencia Cleared for all baseball activities
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 10:23 AM
Valencia (quadriceps) has been cleared for all baseball activities Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Valencia has been dealing with a strained left quad but appears ready to play in Grapefruit League games. The 26-year-old backstop split the 2025 campaign between Double-A and Triple-A and slashed .311/.382/.559 with 24 home runs, 95 RBI and 64 runs scored across 433 plate appearances. |
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Sawyer Gipson-Long Sawyer Gipson-Long Will throw bullpen Friday
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 10:17 AM
Gipson-Long (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen Friday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Analysis: Gipson-Long has been dealing with a strained left oblique early in spring training but is making progress in his recovery. The right-hander appeared in eight regular-season games for Detroit in 2025, making three starts. He figures to open the campaign at Triple-A Toledo. |
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Trey Sweeney Trey Sweeney Not throwing due to shoulder strain
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 9:16 AM
Sweeney will have his throwing program paused due to a right shoulder strain, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It's unclear when Sweeney might be ready to throw again, much less play in games. The 25-year-old was already lower down in the pecking order at shortstop for the Tigers, and this setback won't help his chances at earning a spot on the Opening Day roster. |
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Matt Vierling Matt Vierling Feels fully healthy
Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 10:15 AM
Vierling (oblique) has been working out at full strength and should be fully ready to go for the start of the regular season, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Recurring shoulder problems and a late-season oblique strain limited Vierling to just 31 regular-season games and 100 plate appearances in 2025, and he missed Detroit's postseason run entirely. However, the versatile 29-year-old has had ample time to recover in the offseason, and he seems to be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 campaign. Vierling projects as the Tigers' top backup in the corner-outfield spots, and he can play in center and at third base as well. He's likely a more valuable asset in real baseball than he is in fantasy, but he could have some utility if he's able to log regular at-bats and get back near his production from 2024, when he recorded 16 home runs, 57 RBI and a .735 OPS across 144 regular-season contests. |
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Eduardo Valencia Eduardo Valencia Working way through running program
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 12:44 PM
Valencia (quadriceps) is still completing a running progression but is otherwise taking part in all baseball activities, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Valencia is working his way back from a left quad strain and doesn't look like he'll be fully cleared by the time Grapefruit League play gets underway this week. The 26-year-old backstop was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster over the winter, but he'll likely be optioned to Triple-A Toledo before the end of camp. |
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Tyler Owens Tyler Owens Nearing mound work
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 12:41 PM
Owens (hip) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of spring training Tuesday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: The right-hander is working his way back from arthroscopic right hip surgery, but since he's close to stepping back on a mound, he should have decent odds of avoiding an Opening Day stint on the injured list. Owens made three appearances for Detroit in 2025 but appears likely to head to Triple-A Toledo to start the upcoming campaign. |
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Jackson Jobe Jackson Jobe Throwing from 90 feet
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 12:31 PM
Jobe (elbow) is scheduled to play catch out to 90 feet three times during the upcoming week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: The right-hander has avoided any setbacks since undergoing Tommy John surgery June 16, but Jobe is still in the early stages of his rehab program. He's already been placed on the 60-day injured list and isn't being counted on to contribute until September, if he pitches this season at all. |
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Bailey Horn Bailey Horn In midst of throwing program
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 12:27 PM
The Tigers announced Sunday that Horn (elbow) is scheduled to play catch five times during the upcoming week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Horn is throwing again after undergoing a left elbow arthroscopy during the offseason, but he'll still some time away from getting the green light to pitch in Grapefruit League games. The left-hander still has a minor-league option remaining, so even if he's healthy by the time camp concludes, he'll be sent to Triple-A Toledo if there's no room for him in the big-league bullpen. |
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Sawyer Gipson-Long Sawyer Gipson-Long Limited to playing catch
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 12:25 PM
The Tigers announced Sunday that Gipson-Long (oblique) has been playing catch daily since reporting to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: While the right-hander hasn't been shut down from activity entirely as he works his way back from a left oblique strain, he still has multiple checkpoints to hit in the recovery process before making his Grapefruit League debut. Assuming the Tigers plan to have Gipson-Long get stretched out for starting duty, he appears likely to either open the season on the 15-day injured list or in the rotation at Triple-A Toledo. |
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Dugan Darnell Dugan Darnell Limited to playing catch
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 12:22 PM
The Tigers announced Sunday that Darnell (hip) has been playing catch five times a week and is also taking part in a running progression, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Darnell has opened camp behind the team's healthy bullpen candidates after undergoing left hip labral repair surgery in September. The 28-year-old could be ready to get back onto a mound soon, but he still looks like he'll face an uphill battle to win a spot on the Opening Day roster. |
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Dillon Dingler Dillon Dingler Still limited in throwing program
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 12:19 PM
The Tigers announced Sunday that Dingler (elbow) is working his way through a throwing progression, but he's taking part in all other baseball activities, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: After a Gold Glove-winning 2025 campaign, Dingler underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Jan. 28 and is still working his way back to full strength. While the backstop will need to prove he can throw with his usual velocity and distance in order to avoid a stint on the injured list to open the season, Dingler should be able to pick up at-bats at designated hitter during Grapefruit League games until he's cleared for defensive duties. |
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Colt Keith Colt Keith Focusing on corner infield
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 10:26 AM
Tigers manager AJ Hinch said Sunday that Keith will focus on playing third base and first base during spring training and will only return to second base if Detroit has injuries there, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Analysis: The 24-year-old played both the keystone and the hot corner in the minors, and second base is where he spent almost all of his time as a rookie in 2024. Keith moved around more last season, playing 18 games at first base, 26 at second and 37 at third while posting a .746 OPS over 137 regular-season games. He's expected to begin 2026 as Detroit's primary third baseman, but his playing time could be impacted by the eventual arrival of top prospect Kevin McGonigle. |
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Riley Greene Riley Greene Focused on improved contact in 2026
Sun, Feb 15, 2026, 9:15 AM
After setting a franchise record for strikeouts last season, Greene is focused on making more consistent contact in 2026, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: On balance, Greene had a productive 2025 campaign, as he set new career highs with 36 home runs, 84 runs scored and 111 RBI over 157 regular-season games. He also had a career-worst 30.7 percent strikeout rate and saw his batting average (.258) and OBP (.313) dip from 2024. The talented outfielder said he may have been too focused on going deep, so he's going to try to be more selective and take what the pitcher gives him. He may also implement some small mechanical tweaks to his swing. The tradeoff could mean a drop in homers for Greene this year, but the 25-year-old remains a top fantasy target, and there's still room for growth in his game. |
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Tarik Skubal Tarik Skubal Draws Opening Day nod
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:53 AM
Manager A.J. Hinch announced Wednesday that Skubal will draw the starting nod for the Tigers' Opening Day game March 26 versus the Padres in San Diego, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: While his long-term future in Detroit remains murky, Skubal will once again head into the 2026 campaign as the staff ace coming off back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards. The Tigers may look to manage Skubal's innings during the Grapefruit League after he logged a combined 216 frames between the regular season and playoffs in 2025, but he should be fully ramped up and ready to handle a standard workload by the time Opening Day arrives. |
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Dugan Darnell Dugan Darnell Idle to begin camp
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:45 AM
The Tigers announced Wednesday that Darnell (hip) will be sidelined for the start of spring training, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Analysis: Darnell is still on the mend from left hip labral repair surgery, which he underwent last September. Before being shut down by the injury, the 28-year-old righty made nine appearances out of the Colorado bullpen and logged a 3.86 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 5:7 K:BB across 11.2 innings. After being claimed off waivers by the Tigers in November, Darnell was designated for assignment but then re-signed to a minor-league deal. He's attending camp as a non-roster invitee, but he'll likely need to complete his rehab within the next week or two to have any shot at all of winning a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. |
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Tyler Owens Tyler Owens Coming back from hip surgery
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:40 AM
The Tigers announced Wednesday that Owens will be sidelined to begin camp while he recovers from arthroscopic right hip surgery, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Analysis: Owens -- who is in Tigers camp as a non-roster invitee -- dealt with hip issues for a chunk of last season and at some point had the injury surgically addressed. It's uncertain how long he'll be out, but once he's healthy, Owens is likely ticketed for Triple-A Toledo. |
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Eduardo Valencia Eduardo Valencia Recovering from quad injury
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:37 AM
Valencia will be slowed at the start of Tigers camp by a left quadriceps injury, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Analysis: It's not clear when Valencia was injured or how long he might be shelved. The 26-year-old was added to the Tigers' 40-man roster this offseason and is slated to open the season at Triple-A Toledo. |
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Bailey Horn Bailey Horn On mend from elbow scope
Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 8:34 AM
The Tigers announced Wednesday that Horn is recovering from arthroscopic left elbow surgery, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Analysis: It's unclear when exactly Horn had the operation, so a timetable for him to resume throwing is also cloudy. The lefty made 10 appearances out of the Tigers bullpen last season, collecting a 1.59 ERA and 10:7 K:BB over 11.1 innings. |
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