RADIO
Max Clark Blasts Leadoff Home Run as MLB Debut Approaches
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark belted a leadoff home run for the Mud Hens on Tuesday in a two-hit night as he continues to make the case for a major-league debut. The Tigers' top-ranked prospect is hitting .306 in 13 games at Triple-A in July, with four doubles, three home runs, three steals, and an impressive 11:10 BB:K. For the season, the left-handed slugger is slashing .268/.356/.415 with nine home runs and 20 steals while boasting an 84th percentile strikeout rate (15.4 percent). The organization has made it clear they are in no hurry to rush Clark to the majors, but it shouldn't be long now, as the Tigers look like sellers ahead of the trade deadline, which could open up an opportunity for playing time for the former third-overall draft pick. The 21-year-old remains one of the top stash candidates in fantasy for his potential to be a multi-category contributor.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jack Flaherty Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Right Flexor Inflammation
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday due to a right flexor strain, per a team announcement. It's the second trip to the IL this season for Flaherty, who missed time in June with a lower leg injury. While the full extent of Flaherty's current health situation is not yet known, any forearm injury is a worrying sign for a pitcher. Across 86 1/3 innings (19 starts) in 2026, Flaherty has recorded a 3-8 record with a 4.59 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts. The 30-year-old owns an impressive 26.2% strikeout rate, but he's also walked batters at a 10.8% clip. As the corresponding move to Flaherty's placement on the injured list, Detroit recalled right-hander Ty Madden.
Source: Detroit Tigers
Source: Detroit Tigers
Kerry Carpenter Battling Heel Injury, Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire?
Across 246 plate appearances in 2026, Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (heel) is hitting .206/.279/.427 with 13 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored. It's been a disappointing season overall for Carpenter, who has seen his strikeout rate spike to a career-worst 29.7% and his batting average fall well below his career mark of .258. The 28-year-old was also removed from the Tigers' loss to the Chicago Cubs on Monday due to heel discomfort, which he had reportedly been trying to play through for the last several games. Still, if Carpenter can avoid a trip to the injured list, he remains an intriguing power bat for fantasy managers to monitor. The lefty swinger has never logged a barrel rate below 10.0% in any of his five big-league seasons, and he hit 26 home runs in just 464 plate appearances in 2025. Pending further updates on his current heel issue, Carpenter could be worth a low-cost waiver-wire addition for his power upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Casey Mize Expected to Make his Next Start
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin, wrist) left his start early on July 19 after taking a comebacker off his left hand/wrist area while also suffering a mild aggravation of his groin injury. Mize felt fine throwing on Monday, though, and will do his normal pre-start routine with the expectation that he will make his next scheduled start, according to MLB.com. Barring a setback, the 29-year-old is lined up to face the Kansas City Royals this Sunday. The former first overall pick from Auburn University in 2018 is having the best year of his career in 2026 with a 2.79 ERA (2.62 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 82 strikeouts and 19 walks in 80 2/3 innings across 15 starts. Mize has dealt with injuries, but when he's been available, he's been consistent for fantasy managers and the Tigers. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last four starts with two wins, five walks, and 24 strikeouts over 22 2/3 innings in that span. If Mize is officially cleared to start on Sunday, he'll be a strong streaming option against the division-rival Royals.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dillon Dingler Continues Breakout Season With Two Homers Against Cubs
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler helped lead the Tigers to an 8-6 victory on Monday night at Wrigley Field over the Chicago Cubs by going 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored to boost his season average to .268 and his OPS to .856. Both of the 27-year-old backstop's home runs on the night were of the solo variety. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of The Ohio State University has been a true breakout in 2026, slashing .268/.332/.524 with 21 home runs, 63 RBI, and 52 runs scored in 91 games across 379 plate appearances to earn All-Star honors for the first time in his second full season in the majors. Dingler's homers on Monday were his first since clearing the fences back on June 25. In 12 games and 50 plate appearances in July, Dingler is batting .289 (13-for-45) with an .849 OPS, two home runs, three doubles, four RBI, and seven runs scored for the Tigers. He has become a must-start in single-catcher leagues and is rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues in the midst of his breakout campaign.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Max Clark Talented Enough To Reward Forward-Thinking Fantasy Managers
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has had a nice season at Triple-A Toledo and has turned in a solid month of July. In 45 at bats this month for Toledo, Clark has recorded two homers and three RBI with nine runs scored while hitting .289 overall. Altogether, the talented 21-year-old left-handed hitter has racked up eight homers and 35 RBI with 58 runs scored and 20 stolen bases at Toledo this season while hitting .265. The Tigers top overall prospect, Clark, a first-round pick out of Franklin High School in Indiana, is a five-tool threat who could contribute immediately to fantasy teams if given a shot at the big leagues. The Tigers could look to the upside of Clark in the second half, especially if they decide to be sellers at the trade deadline. Clark has the potential to reward fantasy managers who take a chance on rostering him.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Casey Mize Pulled Early on Sunday With Groin, Wrist Injuries
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that right-hander Casey Mize (groin, wrist) was pulled from his start early on Sunday in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels with groin tightness and a wrist issue after being hit by a comebacker, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Mize will have more rehab and tests on his groin, but he said he left the game as a precaution. The 29-year-old only made it through 3 1/3 innings on Sunday, allowing an earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out five for a no-decision. He was pulled in the fourth inning after he was hit by a groundball off the bat of Angels outfielder Jo Adell in the left hand/wrist, but Mize had already been feeling tightness in his groin at that point. Mize should be considered day-to-day for now, and although his injuries don't appear to be very serious, his next scheduled start against the division-rival Kansas City Royals on Friday, July 24, should be considered up in the air. He's already missed time in 2026 due to injury, but Mize is currently in the midst of his best year as a pro, coming into his start on Sunday with a 2.79 ERA (2.69 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 77 K's and 18 walks across his 14 starts.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Spencer Torkelson has First Multi-Homer Game of the Year
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson continues to be a solid power source for fantasy managers, if nothing else. In the dominant 7-0 shutout win over the hosting Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim on Saturday night, Torkelson went 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, a season-high four RBI, and one strikeout. He clubbed a three-run homer to set the tone in the first inning and added a solo blast in the fifth inning to carry Detroit's offense in the easy win. The 26-year-old right-handed slugger and former first overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State is hitting just .209 (69-for-330) on the season, but he has added 18 home runs, 47 RBI, and 40 runs for fantasy managers as a solid source of power despite all the swing and miss and the career-high 32.7% strikeout rate. Torkelson has four home runs in 12 games so far in July, but he's also hitting just .156 (7-for-45) with a .647 OPS, 10 RBI, six runs, four walks, and 17 strikeouts in 49 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Framber Valdez Returns From Bereavement List
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez has been activated off the bereavement list on Saturday. Valdez missed a little under a week while dealing with personal issues. Luckily, it was right before the All-Star break, so his absence didn't mess up the Tigers' rotation. Valdez is expected to make his next start during the upcoming series versus the Chicago Cubs. The exact date of his start is unknown, so fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more information. In a corresponding move, right-hander Beau Brieske was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday.
Source: Tigers PR
Source: Tigers PR
Max Anderson Filling Up Stat Sheet at Triple-A as Late-Season MLB Debut Looms
Detroit Tigers second base/third base prospect Max Anderson is making a name for himself at Triple-A Toledo this season. Between Low-A Lakeland and Toledo, Anderson has racked up a .308 batting average with 11 homers and 36 RBI to go with 40 runs scored. Anderson, the Tigers' No. 4 overall prospect, spent time on the injured list with an unspecified injury in April, but has returned to nice success in the minor leagues. The former second-round pick out of the University of Nebraska was also recently chosen to represent the Tigers at the 2026 All-Star Futures Game. In fantasy leagues, it would be wise to take a cautious approach with adding Anderson. His numbers are good, but it might take a little bit more convincing before taking a shot on him in shallow leagues. For now, he is best left for deeper leagues ahead of the second half of the season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Max Clark Could Bring Elite Five-Category Skill Set to Detroit Outfield
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has spent the whole season in Triple-A Toledo and has shown off some of the five-tool skills that made him such a highly regarded prospect. Clark has eight homers and 35 RBI while hitting .264 with 58 runs scored and 20 stolen bases. Clark has had a pretty successful July before the All-Star break with two homers and three RBI in 38 at-bats while hitting .289. The 21-year-old is the Tigers' top overall prospect and received a 60 overall scouting grade with a 70 run grade. Clark has the speed and arm to be a big-league outfielder; the question is when he will get his chance in Detroit. James Outman and Matt Vierling are manning center field right now for the Tigers, so there seems to be a spot for Clark to work his way towards. It would be beneficial for fantasy managers to monitor Clark's progress, as he has elite-prospect skills and a favorable profile for fantasy given his ability to hit for power and steal bases.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Kenley Jansen a Closer to Fade Coming Out of the All-Star Break
Across 23 2/3 innings (27 games) in 2026, Detroit Tigers closer Kenley Jansen has recorded a 1-4 record with a 4.56 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 25 strikeouts, and 11 saves. The 38-year-old has held onto the ninth-inning role in Detroit despite some ups and downs this season, recording saves in two out of his last three appearances before the All-Star break. However, Jansen's profile carries some major red flags for fantasy managers. The veteran right-hander has struggled with command this season, as his 13.1% walk rate is his worst since 2010 and his 12.1% K-BB rate is the worst of his career. Jansen has also had major difficulty keeping the ball in the ballpark, allowing 1.90 HR/9. The combination of walks and homers is a dangerous one for closers, as it leads to blow-up outings and blown saves. Detroit is also currently eight games under .500, which could lead to Jansen being traded to a team where he's no longer the closer. All things considered, fantasy managers may want to avoid Jansen in the second half of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josue Briceno Rehabbing, is a 2026 Debut in Play?
Detroit Tigers catching/first baseman prospect Josue Briceno (wrist) continues to work his way back from wrist surgery that he had before the season began, and is 10 games into his rehab assignment that has thus far been split between Single-A and with the team's Complex League affiliate, going 7-for-29 (.241) with a pair of doubles, a home run, and a 5:6 BB:K. The Tigers' third-ranked prospect is coming off a promising 2025 campaign in which he impressed at High-A to the tune of a .296/.422/.602 slash line through 55 games, which included an 11-game stretch in which he blasted eight home runs, before earning a promotion to Double-A midseason. Though Double-A proved more challenging, he still hit .232 with a 12.6 percent walk rate as one of the younger players at that level. The 6-foot-4 Venezuelan possesses highly rated hit and power tools, and although a 2026 debut is unlikely, the 21-year-old is worth monitoring, and he could be making a fantasy impact in 2027.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Max Clark Producing at Triple-A, Top Stash Ahead of Debut in Second Half?
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark's first half ended quietly with a 0-for-7 two-game stretch over the weekend, but he had been rolling in the lead-up to that. The Tigers' top-ranked prospect had been riding an eight-game hit streak and had hit safely in 20 of 22, going 30-for-92 (.326) with five doubles, four home runs, eight steals, and an 11:9 BB:K from June 12 to July 10. For the season, the left-handed hitter is slashing .264/.351/.404 with eight home runs and 20 steals through 81 games at Toledo. Though the organization has been slow-playing a promotion to the majors, a debut in the second half is highly likely, and the former third-overall draft pick has the potential to be a multi-category contributor, making the 21-year-old one of the top offensive stashes in most fantasy leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Gleyber Torres Starts Rehab Assignment on Monday
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) began a minor-league rehab assignment on Monday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI while playing five innings at second base. Torres has been on the 10-day injured list since June 17 with a strained left oblique, but if he can avoid a setback on his rehab assignment this week, there's a chance he could be ready to rejoin the big-league roster for the start of the second half of the 2026 season this weekend. It's the second time this year that Torres has been on the IL with an oblique strain, previously missing over a month the first time around. When the 29-year-old Venezuelan is healthy, he should return to starting duties at the keystone in Motown after hitting .280/.395/.395 with a .790 OPS, four home runs, 18 RBI, and 26 runs scored in his 157 at-bats. The three-time All-Star is most useful in fantasy in leagues that count on-base percentage, as he's not a major power threat or in counting-stats leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
