RADIO
Tigers Decline 2027 Option on Kenley Jansen
The Detroit Tigers announced on Monday that they declined their $12 million 2027 club option for veteran right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen. He will instead receive a $2 million buyout. The 39-year-old will be on the free-agent market this winter after spending his 17th year in the league in Motown. The four-time All-Star made 50 appearances out of the bullpen and recorded a 3.20 ERA (4.46 FIP), 1.04 WHIP, 22 saves, 51 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 45 innings pitched. Jansen was better as the season progressed, recording a 2.40 ERA while giving up just 15 hits in 30 innings with 32 strikeouts since the start of June. Jansen's surface stats were solid, especially for a player of his age, but he also blew six saves, and his 23 walks were the third-most of his career. The veteran closer also allowed seven home runs, with four of them being walk-offs. Jansen will most likely have to settle for another one-year deal in free agency if he continues his career, and there is a good chance that he will not be guaranteed a full-time closer job. With Jansen now gone, the Tigers do not have an obvious successor in the ninth-inning role and could open next year in a committee.
Source: Tigers PR
Source: Tigers PR
Pitching Prospect Brady Smith to Join Tigers in Major Trade
Right-handed pitching prospect Brady Smith is set to join the Detroit Tigers, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN, in the deal that sent Tarik Skubal to the two-time reigning World Series Champions. Smith was viewed as the No. 29 prospect in the Dodgers system prior to the deal. While Zyhir Hope and River Ryan are viewed as the headliners in this deal, Smith has shown high-end strikeout upside in the lower levels and could be worth close monitoring in deeper dynasty leagues. He began the 2026 season at the Low-A level, where he racked up an impressive 104 strikeouts over only 65 innings of work with a 3.88 ERA. However, since moving up to High-A (9 1/3 innings), Smith has allowed eight runs and totaled just nine punchouts. While the right-hander will need some time as he progresses through the minor leagues, his strikeout potential makes him worth following for the remainder of the second half.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
Brewers Getting Aggressive, Could Target Tarik Skubal at Trade Deadline
The Milwaukee Brewers, who have the best record in franchise history to this point in the season and the second-biggest division lead in baseball, are prepared to "adopt a more aggressive approach" at this year's trade deadline compared to recent years, sources familiar with the club's thinking have told MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. It means club officials have touched base with the Detroit Tigers about ace left-hander Tarik Skubal and the San Diego Padres about flamethrowing closer Mason Miller. "I've been on the phone a lot," said president of baseball operations Matt Arnold. "We're definitely active." Despite an aggressive approach, the Brewers have been telling teams they won't decimate their farm system to land a high-profile player, especially if he's just a rental. Milwaukee has assigned high value to their top-100 prospects -- shortstops Jesus Made and Luis Pena, and outfielder Josh Adamczewski. The Brewers' primary focus is believed to be reinforcing a pitching staff that owns the second-best ERA (3.44) despite losing starters Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester, and high-leverage reliever Angel Zerpa to season-ending injuries.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
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
Jackson Jobe Touches 100 MPH in First Rehab Outing, Emerging as Top Injury Stash?
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jackson Jobe (elbow) pitched in a minor-league rehab game on Tuesday at Single-A Lakeland for the first time since late May of last year due to Tommy John surgery, and he hit 100 mph while giving up an earned run with no walks and a strikeout in 1 1/3 innings pitched. It was an encouraging outing for the 23-year-old, who threw 24 of his 32 pitches for strikes, but given his long layoff, his rehab assignment is expected to last around a month. The former third overall pick in 2021 could become a high-upside strikeout arm later this year if he can earn a spot back in Detroit's starting rotation, so he's certainly a name to keep tabs on in fantasy leagues. In deeper formats, Jobe might be worth stashing now. In only 12 big-league appearances (10 starts) for the Tigers since debuting in 2024, Jobe has a 3.91 ERA (5.01 FIP), a 1.41 WIHP, and a 41:28 K:BB in 53 innings pitched. It appears Jobe has already regained his pre-surgery velocity, but his command could be another story. He's rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Kyle Finnegan Worth Stashing as a Long-Term Saves Source?
Across 41 1/3 innings (39 games) so far in 2026, Detroit Tigers right-hander Kyle Finnegan has recorded a 2.18 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 31 strikeouts, and one save. The veteran reliever has mostly been deployed in a setup role by Detroit, limiting his utility to fantasy managers. Finnegan's underlying metrics are also worrying, as he's logged just an 18.1% strikeout rate while walking 14.6% of the batters he's faced. Still, Tigers closer Kenley Jansen has been shaky this season, as he's pitched to a 4.98 ERA and has blown four saves in 14 opportunities. With 113 saves in 385 career MLB appearances, Finnegan has plenty of closer experience and could be the Tigers' preferred option if the team eventually decides to move away from Jansen. In deeper league formats, Finnegan could be worth stashing off the waiver wire for his long-term saves upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Keider Montero Continues Dominant Run, Emerging as Worthy Pitcher to Pick Up?
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher/relief pitcher Keider Montero pitched two shutout innings out of the bullpen to earn a win on Wednesday against the Yankees. It was his first appearance since moving to the bullpen after the return of Jack Flaherty last Sunday. The win helped Montero improve to 5-5 with a 3.31 ERA and 3.80 FIP in his 17 games, 15 of which were starts. He has a 1.52 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings in his last five games and has been very effective at limiting damage. Montero doesn't have a spot in the rotation right now, but he's worth a look in deep leagues since he has worked so well in multiple roles recently. He will be a top pickup option in most standard formats if he moves back to the rotation at some point later in the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Keider Montero Moving to Tigers Bullpen
Detroit Tigers right-hander Keider Montero will shift to his team's bullpen "for now," per Jason Beck of MLB.com. The 25-year-old has made 16 appearances (15 starts) for Detroit so far this season, recording a 4-5 record with a 3.39 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts across 87 2/3 innings. With just a 16.1% strikeout rate, Montero has not provided much swing-and-miss value for fantasy managers. Still, he's limited free passes (5.2% walk rate) and hard contact (7.7% opponent barrel rate). The Tigers have multiple veterans in their current starting rotation who may not be with the team after the trade deadline, which could open the door for Montero to return to a fantasy-relevant role. However, he currently projects for a bulk relief role and can likely be dropped in shallower leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Will Vest Locks Down Four-Out Save, a Worthy Handcuff Closer to Stash?
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Will Vest closed out the Yankees on Monday night to earn his second save of the season. The 31-year-old righty impressed by closing out the eighth inning with a strikeout of Jasson Dominguez with two runners on base and then working a 1-2-3 ninth inning with another strikeout to end the game against Amed Rosario. Vest is currently the Tigers' top setup option in front of Kenley Jansen, but he has been very effective, allowing a run in just one of his last seven outings. If you are looking for a handcuff stash for the veteran Jansen or trying to get ahead of a potential shift in a deep league, Vest's recent run deserves a look since he could continue to get high-leverage looks for the Tigers and even more chances to close out games if Jansen struggles or gets injured again.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Will Vest Still Worth Targeting After Fourth Blown Save?
Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Will Vest was garnering some interest off the waiver wire recently with regular closer Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the injured list. Vest picked up his first save of the year on June 1 and also won his second game of the year on June 7 to peak interest among those desperate for saves, but now that Jansen is back from the IL, Vest's path to save chances is shrinking. Additionally, the 31-year-old veteran blew his fourth save of 2026 in his last appearance out of the bullpen on June 16 against the Houston Astros, allowing an earned run on one hit while walking one in just one-third of an inning. Jansen has been shaky in his own right this year and is 38 years old, but Vest hasn't exactly put himself at the top of the line as a closer handcuff in Detroit with his 2-4 record, 6.45 ERA (3.68 FIP), and 1.48 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and nine walks in 22 1/3 innings. If Jansen gets injured again or demoted from the closer's role, it could be Kyle Finnegan, and not Vest, as the next man up for saves for manager A.J. Hinch. Vest is rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Tigers Activate Kenley Jansen From the Injured List on Friday
The Detroit Tigers activated right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen (pelvis) from the 15-day injured list on Friday, the team announced. Jansen spent the minimum time on the IL with pelvic inflammation that sidelined him in late May. The veteran reliever only made one minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday and gave up three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. The 38-year-old four-time All-Star has a longer leash than most closers because he has 483 saves in his 17-year MLB career. Jansen should return to primary save duties in Detroit now that he's healthy, but things could change quickly in Detroit if he continues to struggle late in games. He has already blown four saves and currently sports a 1-3 record, 4.80 ERA (5.84 FIP), and 1.20 WHIP with seven saves, 19 strikeouts, and nine walks in his 15 innings this year. Jansen is rostered in 68% of Yahoo leagues, so he could be available to be scooped up if you are searching for saves. If Jansen continues to stumble, both Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan are next up for save opportunities.
Source: Tigers PR
Source: Tigers PR
Kenley Jansen on Track to Return on Friday
Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen (pelvis) was a bit "rusty" in his minor-league rehab outing on Wednesday at Triple-A Toledo, but manager A.J. Hinch said he is still on track to be reinstated after a minimum stay on the 15-day injured list, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. It points to Jansen returning for Friday's series opener in Cleveland against the division-rival Guardians, which is the first day he's eligible to come off the IL. The 38-year-old veteran allowed three earned runs on two hits while walking one and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning during his rehab outing on Wednesday with the Mud Hens. With Jansen out recently, the Tigers have mixed and matched in the ninth inning with right-handers Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan. Jansen wasn't exactly pitching great before his pelvis injury, going 1-3 with a 4.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, seven saves, and a 19:9 K:BB -- but given his experience, he's likely to be Detroit's primary option for saves again once he's activated. Just don't expect Jansen to have a very long leash if he continues to be inconsistent.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Will Vest Deployed in Ninth Inning Again, has he Fully Claimed High-Leverage Role?
Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Will Vest picked up his second win of the season in the team's 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park on Sunday in the series finale. Vest was deployed in the top of the ninth inning with the team trailing 4-3 and pitched a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and a strikeout before the Tigers walked it off in the bottom of the frame. The 31-year-old veteran blew a save on May 26 against the Los Angeles Angels, giving up a season-high five earned runs, but since then, he's settled down, giving up an earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out six with a win, a save, and a hold for the Tigers. The former 12th-round selection out of Stephen F. Austin State University in 2017 has a bloated 6.53 ERA in 21 outings in 2026, but his FIP sits at a more respectable 3.44, and he is going to continue to see high-leverage work in the Tigers' bullpen with veteran Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the injured list. Vest is rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kenley Jansen to Begin Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (pelvis) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. Jansen threw a successful bullpen session on Friday. He appears to be feeling good enough to get back into game action. Jansen has been sidelined since late May due to pelvic inflammation. He could be activated when first eligible on June 12, but we'll see how his first rehab outing goes for him. Jansen has posted a 4.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP with seven saves across 15 innings this season. The right-hander is worth rostering in most leagues where saves matter. He should return as the primary closer once he's activated off the Injured List.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Will Vest Deployed in Ninth Inning, Is he the Closer to Roster in Detroit?
Detroit Tigers right-hander Will Vest shut the door on the Seattle Mariners on Friday night, allowing a hit and a walk but striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning during his team's 7-3 win. Vest has struggled so far in 2026, recording a 1-4 record with a 6.86 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 22 strikeouts, and one save across 19 2/3 innings. However, Vest was arguably Detroit's top reliever in 2025, recording a 3.01 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 75 strikeouts and 23 saves across 64 appearances. Even though Friday's outing was a non-save situation, Vest's usage in the ninth inning could suggest that he is the closer to own in Detroit while Tigers closer Kenley Jansen (pelvis) is on the 15-day injured list due to pelvic inflammation. In deeper leagues, Vest could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a short-term source of saves.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
