Detroit Tigers Fantasy Baseball Daily Bullpen Updates and Closer Depth Chart
| Closer | 1st in line | 2nd in line | 2025 Closer | Updated | |
| DET | *Beau Brieske | *Will Vest | *Jason Foley | TBD | 11/1/24 |
| IL |
*=closer-by-committee
Previous updates:
Detroit Tigers – A.J. Hinch mixed and matched with aplomb while getting his team into the playoffs. Jason Foley led the team with 28 saves through 161 games. Tyler Holton recorded seven wins, eight saves, and 14 holds through 66 appearances. How far the team goes, and how the bullpen performs, may determine how it’s structured in 2025. For now, plan on much of the same next year, unless the team targets a free agent closer for the preferred save share.
September 27, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Punching his team’s playoff ticket for the first time since 2014, Jason Foley stranded a runner while retiring his only batter, Andrew Vaughn, via a flyout for his 28th save. He’s converted 13 of 14 save opportunities in his last 20 appearances with a 0.82 WHIP over 17 innings.
- Tyler Holton allowed a walk and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless, combined inning, securing his 15th hold.
- Will Vest logged 1.2 clean frames and recorded two strikeouts for his 14th hold.
- Brandon Hurter collected his sixth win, tossing four innings, giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Beau Brieske
*= closer-by-committee
September 26, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Slamming the door on his 27th save, Jason Foley fired a clean top of the ninth, recording two strikeouts while preserving a comeback win over the Rays. He threw 12 pitches (7 strikes – 58.3 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (25 SwStr%). Since August 15, he’s converted 11 of 12 save chances while being scoreless in 16 of his 19 appearances.
- Beau Brieske earned his fourth win, tossing two clean frames. Over his last eight games, he’s been scoreless in seven and recorded two wins in his last three.
- Casey Mize worked two innings, giving up three hits and an earned run while striking out four.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Beau Brieske
*= closer-by-committee
September 25, 2025
Detroit Tigers – Making his major league debut, Jackson Jobe allowed a one-out single during a scoreless top of the ninth, finishing a six-run win over the Rays. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and induced one whiff.
- Will Vest gave up a hit and struck out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Tyler Holton fired 1.1 clean innings and recorded a strikeout for his 14th hold.
- Brenan Hanifee worked around a hit and a walk for a scoreless combined inning.
- Sean Guenther collected his third win, tossing two scoreless frames and recording three strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Beau Brieske
*= closer-by-committee
September 24, 2024
Detroit Tigers –Taking over at the top of the eighth, Beau Brieske could not complete the combined shutout, but did secure his first save, closing a one-run win over the Rays. He allowed Brandon Lowe’s solo home run and recorded three strikeouts on 23 pitches (20 strikes – 87 Strike%) with seven whiffs (30.4 SwStr%). This snapped his six-game scoreless streak but he’s recorded a win and this save in his last seven contests.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Beau Brieske
*= closer-by-committee
September 21, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Providing a Herculean effort, Beau Brieske earned his third win. He entered a tied contest with runners on second and third with no outs at the bottom of the ninth. He induced a weak groundout by Cedric Mullins, followed by Trey Sweeney making a terrific catch on an Anthony Santander shallow fly in left field, and an inning-ending flyout by Colton Cowser, extending the game into extra innings. With a two-run lead in the tenth, Brieske issued a one-out walk and recorded a strikeout, completing his two scoreless innings.
- Jason Foley suffered his fourth blown save, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and a walk without retiring a batter at the top of the ninth.
- Sean Guenther logged two clean frames, striking out one.
- Will Vest let one of two inherited runners score on a single and recorded one out, resulting in his sixth blown save in the sixth inning.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Beau Brieske
*= closer-by-committee
September 18, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Securing his second save, Will Vest retired both batters at the top of the ninth, preserving a two-run win over the Royals. He threw nine pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff and recorded a strikeout. He’s been scoreless in six of seven outings in September, with seven strikeouts against one walk.
- Sean Guenther notched his second hold, logging 1.1 scoreless frames while issuing a walk.
- Brenan Hanifee worked two innings, giving up four hits and an earned run with three strikeouts for his sixth hold.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
September 17, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Locking down his 25th save, Jason Foley retired the side and stranded the “place” runner at the bottom of the tenth, preserving a two-run win in Kansas City. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) without a whiff. He’s appeared in three straight games, securing a save in each, and been scoreless in six of his previous seven, converting all five saves.
- Tyler Holton collected his seventh win. He tossed two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts on 32 pitches (21 strikes – 65.6 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Beau Brieske fired a clean seventh, striking out the side.
- Shelby Miller logged 1.2 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and two walks.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
September 16, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Shutting the door on his 24th save, Jason Foley retired the side and recorded a strikeout while finishing a one-run win over the Royals. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff. Since August 14, he’s been scoreless in 14 of his 16 outings while converting all nine save chances with 13 strikeouts versus four walks over 14.2 innings.
- Beau Brieske notched his sixth hold, navigating around a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless eighth.
- Will Vest stranded a runner despite giving up a hit during two-thirds of the seventh, securing his 12th hold.
- Brenan Hanifee collected his first win. He logged 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and an earned run while striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
September 15, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Forced into action at the top of the eighth, Jason Foley retired all four batters, two on strikeouts, while securing his 23rd save. He threw ten pitches (80 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (30 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in 13 of his last 15 appearances since August 14, converting all eight save chances while posting 12 strikeouts against four walks.
- Will Vest was credited with his 11th hold despite allowing a walk and Adley Rutschman’s two-run home run during his 1.1-inning outing.
- Tyler Holton worked 1.1 scoreless, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one for his 13th hold.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
September 13, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Although he lost the combined no-hitter, Tyler Holton navigated around a two-out Gunnar Henderson triple with a game-ending strikeout while facing Anthony Santander, preserving a 1-0 win and securing his eighth save. He threw 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless in 20 of his 23 appearances since the All-Star break, with 28 strikeouts against three walks, two wins, six saves, and five holds.
- Brenan Hanifee notched his fifth hold, retiring the side and striking out two in the eighth.
- Brant Hurter collected his fifth win, logging 5.2 scoreless “bulk innings,” allowing a walk and striking out eight.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
September 12, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Taking over a tied game at the top of the ninth, Jason Foley suffered his sixth loss. He allowed a lead-off Brendan Rodgers single, who moved to second on a passed ball and scored on Jacob Stallings’ go-ahead RBI double. After inducing a groundout, Foley gave up another earned run on a sacrifice fly. He finished the ninth with two hits and two earned runs on his ledger.
- Sean Guenther was tagged with his first blown save. He let one of two inherited runners score on a Charlie Blackmon single but tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Brenan Hanifee gets credit for his fourth hold despite giving up two hits and an earned run while striking out two during two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
September 11, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Closing the door on his 22nd save, Jason Foley worked around a two-out walk and recorded a game-ending groundout, sealing a three-run win over the Rockies. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced two whiffs while recording two strikeouts. Since August 14, he’s given up one unearned run and converted all seven save opportunities with ten strikeouts against four walks over 11.1 innings.
- Will Vest notched his tenth hold, posting 1.1 clean frames and striking out one.
- Tyler Holton earned his sixth win, logging two scoreless frames. He gave up a hit and struck out one on 29 pitches (17 strikes – 58.5 Strike%) with two whiffs.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
September 7, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Taking over with a one-run lead at the bottom of the ninth and one out, Jason Foley worked around a single with a fielder’s choice groundout and a game-ending strikeout, securing his 21st save. He threw ten pitches (80 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s converted five saves and allowed one unearned run over his last 11 appearances since August 15 with a 0.75 WHIP in 9.1 innings.
- Sean Guenther notched his first hold, retiring all four batters, one via strikeout.
- Ricky Vanasco fired a clean seventh, securing his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
September 6, 2024
Detroit Tigers – With the score tied at the bottom of the 13th, Beau Brieske gave up Seth Brown’s one-out walk-off RBI single, resulting in his fourth loss and first blown save. Brieke worked 1.1 innings, giving up two hits, two unearned runs, and a walk while striking out one.
- Shelby Miller was tagged with his seventh blown save, allowing Brown’s two-run home run in the 11th.
- Brenan Hanifee let his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit during his two-thirds of the tenth, resulting in his first blown save.
- Tyler Holton logged 1.1 innings and recorded three strikeouts but got an unearned run on his line despite retiring his only batter faced in the tenth.
- Sean Guenther tossed a clean eighth.
- Jason Foley stranded two runners and retired his only two batters faced in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
September 5, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Capping his team’s rally at the top of the eighth, Tyler Holton recorded his seventh save, navigating around Xander Bogaerts’ two-out single with a game-ending flyout. He threw 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in ten of his last 11 and secured a save in three of his last five games.
- Ricky Vanasco collected his first career win, retiring the side in the eighth ahead of his team’s four-run ninth.
- Kenta Maeda logged 1.2 clean frames while striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
September 1, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Nailing down his 20th save, Jason Foley fired a clean top of the ninth and recorded one strikeout, preserving a three-run win over Boston. He threw seven pitches (71.4 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last eight outings while converting all five save chances since August 14.
- Will Vest notched his ninth hold, logged 1.2 clean frames, and struck out one.
- Brant Hurter collected his third win as the “bulk reliever,” tossing five innings, giving up six hits and an earned run while striking out five.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
August 31, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Matched up against the top of Boston’s lineup, Tyler Holton worked around a two-out walk with a game-ending Rafael Devers’ lineout for his sixth save. He threw 17 pitches (9 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) without producing a whiff. He’s recorded three saves since August 6 and has been scoreless in nine of his last 11 appearances with ten strikeouts against one walk.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
August 28, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Preserving a one-run win, Jason Foley nailed down his 19th save with a clean ninth while recording two strikeouts. He threw 13 pitches (69.2 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%) against the Angels’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket. This extended his scoreless streak to seven games, and he converted a save in four of his last six.
- Beau Brieske logged 1.2 scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out two for his fifth hold.
- Kenta Maeda collected his third win as the “bulk follower,” tossing 4.1 innings, giving up four hits, two unearned runs, and two walks while striking out five.
Updated Hierarchy: Jason Foley | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
August 27, 2024
Detroit Tigers – With a four-run lead and two runners on with two outs, Jason Foley induced Jo Adell’s game-ending groundout for his 18th save. He only threw four pitches (75 Strike%) while recording a fantasy manager’s favorite one-out save. He’s been scoreless over his last six appearances and converted a save in three.
- Shelby Miller tossed a combined scoreless inning of relief, allowing a hit and a hit batter while striking out one.
- Brenan Hanifee secured his third hold, tossing 2.2 clean frames and striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
August 26, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Summoned with a three-run lead against the White Sox 7-8-9 lineup pocket, Tyler Holton retired the side, securing his fifth save. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in his last seven games, spanning 10.1 innings, and this marked his first save since August 6.
- Beau Brieske allowed a solo home run during his 1.1-inning outing.
- Sean Guenther collected his first win, logging 1.2 scoreless frames. He allowed a hit and recorded one strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
August 23, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Back in the saddle as the preferred save share, Jason Foley retired the side while recording his 17th save on only four pitches against the White Sox. He’s been scoreless in seven of his last eight and secured the save in two of his last three appearances.
- Shelby Miller gave up a hit and recorded three strikeouts in a scoreless eighth for his fight hold.
- Will Vest tossed 1.1 scoreless frames, yielding a hit, and collected his third win.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
August 18, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Even though he allowed the “place” runner to score on a DJ LeMahieu RBI single, Beau Brieske induced a double-play groundout and an inning-ending strikeout. He collected his second win on a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He threw seven pitches (85.7 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (28.6 SwStr%).
- Shelby Miller tossed a scorel4ess top of the ninth, giving up a hit and striking out one.
- Will Vest fired a clean eighth, striking out the side on 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) with three whiffs.
- Brenan Hanifee worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
August 15, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Capping a comeback rally, Jason Foley secured his 16th save with a clean ninth and recorded a strikeout. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and induced one whiff against the Mariners’ 6-7-8 lineup pocket. This marks his first save since July 10.
- Shelby Miller collected his sixth win. He stranded a runner in the seventh and retired all four batters, one via strikeout during his appearance.
- Kenta Maeda was the “bulk follower.” He logged 5.2 innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out five.
Hierarchy remains: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
August 14, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Tyler Holton collected his fifth win. He retired the side and recorded two strikeouts in a clean top of the tenth against Seattle’s 2-3-4 hitters on 13 pitches (10 strikes – 76.9 Strike%) with three whiffs (23.1 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in nine of ten games in the second half with 14 strikeouts against two walks with this win and two saves.
- Jason Foley worked a clean ninth and struck out one, keeping the game tied.
- Shelby Miller stranded the bases-loaded in the eighth while retiring both batters, one via strikeout.
- Will Vest gave up a hit, an earned run, a walk, and a hit batter over one-third of the eighth.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
August 13, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Wrapping up a lopsided 14-run win, Joey Wentz was awarded his first major league save. He logged three scoreless frames, allowing a walk and striking out three against the Mariners. He threw 35 pitches (57.1 Strike%) and induced four whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | *Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
August 11, 2024
Detroit Tigers -With a one-run lead, Will Vest secured his first save. He worked around a two-walk to LaMonte Wade Jr. with a game-ending strikeout of Heliot Ramos. He threw 17 pitches (11 strikes – 64.7 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless in four of five outings in August with this save, two holds, and a blown save.
- Brenan Haniffee notched his first hold, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames and giving up a hit. He also stranded a runner in the seventh.
- Tyler Holton was credited with his eighth hold. However, he allowed his only inherited runner to score on a Jerar Encarnacion RBI double and issued a walk during 1.1 scoreless innings.
Hierarchy remains: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | *Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
August 9, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Called into action in the bottom of the eighth with a runner on and two outs, Jason Foley induced an inning-ending pop-out by Tyler Fitzgerald, keeping the game tied. Returning for the ninth, Foley had a runner reach on an error, issued a walk, and hit Matt Chapman with a pitch, prompting his removal.
- Shelby Miller produced a fielder’s choice grounder by Mike Yastrzemski, getting the runner at home, then allowed a walk-off sacrifice fly by Mark Canha, handing Foley his third loss, scoring an unearned run.
- Kenta Maeda logged 4.2 innings as the “bulk follower.” He gave up four hits and two earned runs while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
August 8, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Taking over with a runner on in the top of the ninth, Will Vest suffered his fourth loss and fifth blown save. He allowed a single by Randy Arozarena and recorded two strikeouts; then, his outing took a turn for the worse. Vest walked Jorge Polanco, loading the bases, and gave up Mitch Haniger’s walk-off three-RBI double.
- Tyler Holton was credited with his seventh hold. He stranded a runner in the seventh and logged 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and an earned run. He faced one batter in the ninth, yielding a single by Luke Raley, who eventually scored on the game-winning rally, snapping his scoreless streak. He last allowed an earned run on June 26.
- Bryan Sammons worked 4.1 innings as the “bulk follower,” giving up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out four.
Hierarchy remains: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
August 6, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Entering with a runner on and two outs, Tyler Holton recorded his fourth save, striking out pinch-hitter Mitch Garver to preserve a two-run win in Seattle. Holton has been working as an “opener” in recent outings but extended his scoreless streak to 22 innings across 15 appearances with a 0.68 WHIP and three saves since June 29.
- Beau Brieske was credited with his fourth hold. He allowed a one-out walk and an earned run on a Jorge Polanco single, aided by miscommunication in the outfield, during his two-thirds of the ninth.
- Jason Foley notched his seventh hold with a clean eighth while striking out two.
- Will Vest retired the side and recorded two strikeouts for his seventh hold in the seventh inning.
Updated Hierarchy: *Tyler Holton | *Jason Foley | Will Vest
*= closer-by-committee
August 4, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Entering with a two-run lead, Shelby Miller allowed a lead-off Hunter Renfroe single, induced a pop-out, gave up a Freddy Fermin single, and recorded a second out. However, with two outs, Miller served up a pinch-hit MJ Melendez three-run home run, resulting in his seventh loss and sixth blown save. He’s allowed multiple runs in his last two games and may have pitched himself out of future save opportunities.
- Jason Foley took over, retiring Bobby Witt Jr. on a lineout, but the damage had been done.
- Will Vest tossed a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit and striking out one for his sixth hold.
- Brant Hurter secured a hold in his MLB debut, logging three scoreless frames, scattering two hits, and striking out three.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Will Vest | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee
August 3, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Benefiting from a walk-off, Jason Foley collected his third win. He allowed both “place” runners to score in the 10th and 11th innings, allowing a hit and striking out one. He threw 23 pitches (16 strikes – 69.6 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
- Bryan Sammons logged 1.1 clean frames and stranded two runners in the eighth.
- Will Vest gave up two hits in a combined, scoreless inning.
- Kenta Maeda worked 3.2 innings, giving up six hits, three earned runs, and a walk while striking out four.
Updated Hierarchy: *Shelby Miller | *Jason Foley | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee
July 30, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Taking over in the third, Alex Faedo suffered his third loss. He allowed two hits and two earned runs while striking out one over 1.2 innings.
- Shelby Miller logged 1.2 scoreless frames and recorded a strikeout.
- Will Vest worked a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit and striking out one.
- Jason Foley gave up two hits, including a two-run José Ramírez home run. Foley entered this year with five home runs allowed in his career and has matched that total in his first 37.1 innings this season.
Updated Hierarchy: *Shelby Miller | *Jason Foley | Tyler Holton
*= closer-by-committee
July 25, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Finishing a bullpen game and perhaps being showcased for a trade, Shelby Miller recorded his second save, issuing a walk and striking out one in a scoreless ninth. He preserved the combined shutout, throwing 18 pitches (50 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. This extended his scoreless streak to eight games, spanning ten innings.
- Andrew Chafin notched his eighth hold, tossing 1.1 scoreless frames with a hit batter and two strikeouts while stranding a runner in the seventh.
- Jason Foley allowed a hit during two-thirds scoreless in the eighth for his sixth hold.
- Alex Faedo logged two scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out three, securing his eighth hold.
- Easton Lucas worked two clean frames and recorded two strikeouts for his first career win.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Shelby Miller | *Jason Foley
*= closer-by-committee
July 20, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Forced into action in the third inning, Alex Faedo collected his fifth win, tossing two scoreless frames. He allowed a hit and recorded three strikeouts after replacing Reese Olson, who left with a shoulder issue.
- Kenta Maeda was credited with his first hold, giving up three hits, including a two-run home run by Vlad Guerrero Jr., and three earned runs while striking out one during his two innings of relief.
- Tyler Holton worked two scoreless innings, yielding a hit and striking out three. He owns a 10-game scoreless streak, spanning 12.1 innings, since June 29.
- Shelby Miller closed out the four-run win with a clean bottom of the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
July 19, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Taking over with a one-run lead in the ninth, Tyler Holton retired the side in Toronto for his third save. He faced the 6-7-8 lineup pocket and threw 10 pitches (70 Strike%) with one whiff.
- Jason Foley stranded a runner and recorded his fifth hold in the bottom of the eighth with a clean outing.
- Beau Brieske allowed three hits, including George Springer’s two-run home run, before his removal in the eighth.
- Andrew Chafin notched his seventh hold with a clean seventh inning, striking out one.
- Will Vest secured his fifth hold, yielding a hit and retiring one in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
July 17, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Although Jason Foley has recorded 15 of his team’s 21 saves, he’s only secured four since the start of June. Through 13 games in July, he has notched two saves while Andrew Chafin and Shelby Miller each have one. This bullpen has been fluid over the last 14 days. Projected as sellers, Chafin and Miller will be traded, if possible, since they are pending free agents. How the team handles save chances during the second half will be monitored closely.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
July 14, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Benefiting from a walk-off rally, Alex Faedo collected his fourth win. He took over in the ninth and stranded two runners despite issuing a walk with an inning-ending strikeout of Chris Taylor.
- Jason Foley worked a combined scoreless inning, giving up two walks and striking out one with his team down by one.
- Andrew Chafin tossed a scoreless combined inning, yielding a hit and striking out two.
- Kenta Maeda logged 3.2 scoreless innings as the “bulk follower,” allowing a hit and striking out five.
- Tyler Holton logged two scoreless frames. He gave up a hit and struck out two.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
July 13, 2024
Detroit Tigers – After navigating around a walk and a hit batter with an inning-ending double-play groundout, Will Vest collected his second win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the tenth. He threw 12 pitches (66.7 Strike%) without a whiff during his scoreless appearance.
- Shelby Miller retired the side in the ninth.
- Andrew Chafin allowed a hit, an earned run, and walked one in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
July 10, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Summoned with an inherited runner on third and one out ahead by one, Jason Foley induced a fielder’s choice groundout, retiring the inherited runner. He then issued Brayan Rocchio an intentional walk, uncorked a wild pitch, put runners on second and third, and recorded a game-ending groundout for his 15th save.
- Alex Faedo was credited with his seventh hold, allowing an earned run and two walks over a combined inning of relief. He scored a runner with a wild pitch in the ninth.
- Tyler Holton secured his sixth hold, logging 1.1 scoreless frames, giving up a hit and striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
July 9, 2024
Detroit Tigers – In the top of the ninth, Will Vest took over and gave up a single before getting an inning-ending flyout. Things turned in the tenth. He allowed a lead-off single by Steven Kwan, putting runners on the corners, intentionally walked José Ramírez, and a go-ahead Josh Naylor single followed by a sacrifice fly. Vest finished with three hits against, two runs (one earned), and a walk while striking out one.
- Andrew Chafin worked a scoreless combined innings, walking two and striking out two.
- Beau Brieske logged 2.2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out three.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
July 8, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Summoned with a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, Shelby Miller preserved the combined shutout and recorded his first save of the season, the second of his career. He threw 13 pitches (9 strikes – 69.2 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless over his last two appearances, securing a win and this save. However, his three previous outings resulted in nine earned runs over 2.1 innings.
- Tyler Holton collected his fourth win, retiring all five batters after taking over in the top of the seventh and stranding a runner. He’s been scoreless over his last five outings and has recorded 18 multi-inning appearances this season.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Tyler Holton | *Shelby Miller
*= closer-by-committee
July 6, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Summoned with a runner on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Andrew Chafin recorded his first save on a game-ending Santiago Espinal strikeout. He’s been scoreless over his last seven appearances, posting 11 strikeouts against zero walks.
- Jason Foley allowed two hits, including Spencer Steer’s solo home run during two-thirds of the ninth for his fourth hold. He’s given up at least a run in four consecutive appearances.
- Shelby Miller logged two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out three while collecting his fifth win.
- Tyler Holton worked 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Tyler Holton | Will Vest
July 5, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Taking over with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Jason Foley recorded his 14th save despite allowing four hits and two earned runs with a strikeout. His outing began with Elly De La Cruz’s lead-off single, a stolen base, and a balk, putting him on third. After striking out Jeimer Candelario, Foley gave up an RBI single by Spener Steer, Nick Martini’s RBI triple. He was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice groundout before a game-ending groundout. He threw 24 pitches (19 strikes – 79.2 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). This marked his first save since June 21, and it was not pretty.
- Andrew Chafin fired a clean eighth and recorded a strikeout for his sixth hold.
- Will Vest logged 1.1 celan frames and struck out one, securing his third hold.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Tyler Holton | Will Vest
June 30, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Forced into action with a one-run lead in the ninth, Tyler Holton recorded his second save, retiring Nolan Schanuel on a game-ending strikeout.
- Shelby Miller created the save situation, allowing five earned runs on two home runs in the bottom of the ninth during his two-thirds of an inning.
- Andrew Chafin tossed a scoreless eighth, yielding a hit and striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Jason Foley | Tyler Holton | Will Vest
June 29, 2024
Detroit Tigers – After working a clean bottom of the ninth with the game tied, Jason Foley returned for the tenth, inducing a sacrifice bunt and allowing a walk-off RBI single by Kevin Pillar, resulting in his second loss. He finished 1.1 innings, allowing an unearned run on a hit, striking out one on 13 pitches (8 strikes – 61.5 Strike%), and induced one whiff.
- Will Vest suffered his fourth blown save, giving up Logan O’Hoppe’s game-tying solo home run in the eighth.
- Tyler Holton stranded a runner and retired his only batter in the seventh for his fight hold.
- Beau Brieske was credited with his second hold. He gave up two hits, two earned runs, and a walk during his two-thirds of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
June 28, 2024
Detroit Tigers – With the score tied in the eighth, Shelby Miller allowed Logan O’Hoppe’s two-out, go-ahead three-run home run resulting in his sixth loss.
- Andrew Chafin tossed two-thirds scoreless, giving up a hit and striking out two in the seventh.
- Will Vest stranded a runner in the sixth and retired all three batters, two via strikeout, in a combined inning of work.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
June 25, 2024
(RP | DET): During a non-save appearance, Jason Foley allowed a solo home run (Bryce Harper) in the top of the ninth. He threw 10 pitches (80 Strike%) and induced two whiffs while finishing a win over the Phillies.
Updated Hierarchy: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
June 21, 2024
(RP | DET): Preserving a one-run win, Jason Foley notched his 13th save. He allowed one baserunner on a hit-by-pitch during 1.1 scoreless innings against the White Sox.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Securing his first save since June 4 and 13th of the season, Jason Foley retired four of five batters faced, hitting a batter and striking out one, preserving a one-run win over the White Sox. He threw 16 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced one whiff. He’s been scoreless through all seven appearances, spanning 6.2 innings, in June with six strikeouts against one walk. Beau Brieske turned in two scoreless frames, yielding a hit for his first hold.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
June 17, 2024
(RP | DET): Shelby Miller suffered his fifth loss, allowing a go-ahead solo home run by Ozzie Albies with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Over his last four appearances, he’s recorded three blown saves, this loss, and a win, less than optimal.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
June 13, 2024
(RP | DET): Handed a one-run lead, Shelby Miller gave up a double and a sacrifice fly, scoring the game-tying run, resulting in his fifth blown save. However, his teammates plated five runs in the bottom of the seventh, providing him with his fourth win.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Despite allowing the game-tying run in the seventh inning, Shelby Miller collected his fourth win and fifth blown save over his 1.1-inning outing. He allowed a lead-off double by Joey Meneses and consecutive flyouts, scoring the run, but his teammates picked him up, scoring five in the bottom of the inning. Tyler Holton worked two-thirds scoreless in the eighth, issuing a walk and striking out one. Andrew Chafin finished the five-run win with a clean ninth, striking out the side on 15 pitches (60 Strike%) and generating five whiffs (33.3 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
June 11, 2024
(RP | DET): Entering in the top of the tenth, Andrew Chafin recorded a strikeout against CJ Abrams on a wild pitch, letting him reach base and moved up the “place” runner to third. Chafin suffered his second loss giving up a go-ahead sacrifice fly.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Tasked with the top of the tenth, Andrew Chafin suffered his second loss, letting the “place” runner score. He recorded a strikeout while facing CJ Abrams on a wild pitch, letting him reach, and the runner moved to third, then scored on a sacrifice fly. Jason Foley gave up a two-out single by Joey Meneses and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth. Shelby Miller was tagged with his fourth blown save, allowing one of two inherited runners to score on a sacrifice fly while retiring both batters faced. Tyler Holton secured his fourth hold, logging 2.1 innings. He gave up a hit and an unearned run while striking out two.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
June 8, 2024
(RP | DET): Inheriting two runners in the top of the sixth, Shelby Miller suffered his third blown save, inducing a groundout before allowing a two-RBI double by Jackson Chourio, ceding the lead. Miller finished 1.2 scoreless innings with only one hit allowed and two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
June 4, 2024
(RP | DET): A fantasy fan favorite one-out save for Jason Foley. He took over with a runner on and two-outs in the bottom of the ninth and induced a game-ending groundout for his 12th save.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Operating in his team’s match-up-based approach, Jason Foley took over with a runner on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. He induced a game-ending groundout by Wyatt Langford, securing his 12th save on only five pitches. Tyler Holton was credited with his third hold, giving up two hits, including a bloop single and an earned run over his two-thirds of the ninth. Shelby Miller returned from the injured list with 1.1 clean frames, recording three strikeouts for his fourth hold. Alex Faedo worked 1.2 scoreless innings, navigating around a hit and three walks while striking out two, earning his sixth hold.
Updated Hierarchy: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Shelby Miller
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
June 3, 2024
(RP | DET): Entering a tied game at the bottom of the seventh, Beau Brieske took the baton from Tarik Skubal and logged three scoreless frames while collecting his first win. He retired nine of ten batters and recorded four strikeouts on 53 pitches (34 strikes – 64.2 Strike%) with six whiffs (11.3 SwStr%). Since his promotion, he’s been scoreless in five of six outings and worked multiple innings in four.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Alex Faedo
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
June 2, 2024
(RP | DET): Taking over in the ninth, Andrew Chafin logged 1.1 scoreless innings, working around two walks and struck out while collecting his third win.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Not only did Andrew Chafin strand a runner in the bottom of the ninth, he worked a scoreless tenth while collecting his third win. He logged 1.1 innings, issuing two walks and recording two strikeouts. Jason Foley tossed a scoreless combined inning, allowing a hit. Alex Faedo suffered his third blown save, giving up two hits, including a game-tying solo home run by Rafael Devers, during his 1.1-inning outing. Tyler Holton retired all seven batters he faced, one via strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Alex Faedo
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
June 1, 2024
(RP | DET): Making his first appearance since May 26, Jason Foley allowed a two-out single and produced an inning-ending strikeout during an eventual loss in Boston. He threw 22 pitches (16 strikes – 72.7 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%).
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Alex Faedo
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used at the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
May 30, 2024
(RP | DET): Closing out a combined shutout, Tyler Holton fired 1.1 clean frames, striking out two during a win in Boston.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Preserving a combined shutout, Tyler Holton retired his four batters faced, two via strikeout in Boston. He threw 21 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%). Alex Faedo stranded a runner in the seventh and logged a scoreless combined inning, yielding a hit and striking out one for his fifth hold.
This usage pattern implies Faedo belongs in the hierarchy.
Adjusted Hierarchy (match-up based): Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Alex Faedo
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used in the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
May 26, 2024
(RP | DET): After tossing a scoreless top of the ninth, Mason Englert collected his first win as a result of a walk-off three-run home run in the bottom of the inning.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Entering in the top of the ninth with the score tied at 11, Mason Englert issued a two-out walk and recorded a strikeout in a scoreless outing. He collected his first win courtesy of a walk-off rally in the bottom of the inning. Jason Foley suffered his second blown save. During his two-thirds of the eighth, he allowed both inherited runners to score on a single by Bo Bichette, and after a walk, he allowed a three-run home run by Daulton Varsho, ceding the lead. Tyler Holton gave up two hits, three earned runs, and a walk over his two-thirds combined innings. Will Vest worked a scoreless combined inning but let both inherited runners score while yielding a hit and a walk. Joey Wentz allowed a hit, two earned runs, and a walk during his inning of relief.
Hierarchy remains fluid (match-up based): Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used in the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
May 25, 2024
(RP | DET): Handed the ninth inning with a one-run lead, Tyler Holton worked around a one-out double and recorded a game-ending strikeout, converting his first save this season.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Trusting A.J. Hinch with save situations remains risky business. Tyler Holton recorded his first save this year and the second of his career, navigating around a one-double with a game-ending strikeout, preserving a one-run over Toronto. He faced the 6-7-8 lineup pocket and threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) with three whiffs (21.4 SwStr%). Jason Foley notched his third hold, lining up against the 3-4-5 hitters, allowing a lead-off single by Vlad Guerrero Jr., erasing him with a double play ground out, and inducing an inning-ending ground out for a scoreless eighth. Alex Faedo let one of two inherited runners score, giving up an RBI double by Davis Schneider and retiring two batters for his fourth hold.
Updated Hierarchy (match-up based): Jason Foley (HLR|PSS) | Tyler Holton | Will Vest
*An HLR/PSS means he’s the preferred save option, but will be used in the highest-leverage moment in games when necessary.
May 24, 2024
(RP | DET): In the bottom of the ninth, summoned with two runners on and two outs, Jason Foley retired his only batter on a game-ending groundout, collecting his 11th save.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Recording a fantasy favorite one-out save, Jason Foley took over with a four-run lead and two runners on in the bottom of the ninth in Toronto. He induced an inning-ending ground out by Danny Jansen, quelling the threat and securing his 11th save on three pitches. Andrew Chafin created the opportunity, giving up four hits and two earned runs while striking out two over two-thirds of the ninth. Will Vest stranded a runner in the eighth, allowing a hit and striking one. Beau Brieske logged 2.2 scoreless frames, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out two.
Updated Hierarchy: Jason Foley | Andrew Chafin | Will Vest
May 21, 2024
(RP | DET): Making his first appearance since May 14, Jason Foley allowed a home run by Bobby Witt Jr. and a two-out single by Michael Massey during a lopsided loss. He threw 20 pitches (65 Strike%) and induced two whiffs.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Andrew Chafin | Alex Faedo
*= closer-by-committee
May 19, 2024
(RP | DET): Entering in the bottom of the sixth of a tied contest, Tyler Holton retired the side. However, he suffered his first loss, allowing a lead-off single in the seventh. This prompted his removal, and the runner scored, putting an earned run on his ledger.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Andrew Chafin | Alex Lange
*= closer-by-committee
May 14, 2024
(RP | DET): Taking over in the top of the tenth, Alex Lange suffered his third loss, giving up an RBI single, scoring the “place” runner and striking out one.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Tasked with the top of the tenth during a scoreless tie, Alex Lange gave up a single by Josh Bell, moving the “place” runner to third, followed by an RBI fielder’s choice ground out by Jesús Sánchez, a strikeout, and a caught stealing during his third loss. He threw 11 pitches (81.8 Strike%) and produced four whiffs (36.4 SwStr%). Jason Foley fired a clean top of the ninth, facing the 9-1-2 lineup pocket and striking out one on 10 pitches (60 Strike%) without a whiff.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Andrew Chafin | *Alex Lange
*= closer-by-committee
May 13, 2024
(RP | DET): Back in the high-leverage saddle, Jason Foley closed out his 10th save with a clean top of the ninth and recorded two strikeouts.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Capping his team’s late rally, Jason Foley nailed down his 10th save, firing a clean top of the ninth and striking out two. He faced the Marlins’ 9-1-2 hitters and threw 15 pitches (60 Strike%) while inducing two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). This represents his first save secured since April 28 and only his second game finished in May, but he remains in the mix for save chances moving forward. Alex Faedo collected his third win despite giving up three hits, including a two-run home run, and recording four strikeouts over 2.1 innings.
Updated Hierarchy: *Jason Foley | *Andrew Chafin | *Alex Lange
*= closer-by-committee
May 12, 2024
(RP | DET): Rough outing alert for Alex Lange, and when he melts down, fantasy players know it. His final line was five hits against, four earned runs, and two walks over two-thirds combined innings. He threw 27 pitches (15 strikes – 55.6 Strike%) with two whiffs. His WHIP rose from 1.14 to 1.57 as a result.
Hierarchy remains: *Alex Lange | *Andrew Chafin | *Jason Foley
*= closer-by-committee
May 10, 2024
(RP | DET): On paper, it seemed like a correct match-up, lining up Andrew Chafin against the top of the Astros lineup with two left-handed hitters in the 1-2-3 pocket. However, he allowed two hits and a walk before his removal, resulting in three earned runs and his first loss, and his second blown save.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Taking over the top of the eighth against the top of the Astros’ lineup with a one-run lead, Andrew Chafin allowed a lead-off single by Jose Altuve, walked Kyle Tucker, and a game-tying RBI single by Yordan Alvarez, prompting his removal. Jason Foley replaced him with runners on the corners, giving up a go-ahead RBI single by Jeremy Peña, inducing a fielder’s choice groundout, and another run scored on an error, followed by a sacrifice fly. Foley finished with a hit against and an unearned run. Chafin suffered his first loss, and third blown save, with two hits, three earned runs, and a walk on his ledger without recording an out. Will Vest secured his second hold, walking one in a scoreless seventh. Alex Faedo tossed a clean ninth, striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: *Alex Lange | *Andrew Chafin | Jason Foley
*= closer-by-committee
May 8, 2024
(RP | DET): After taking over in the ninth, and striking his only batter faced, Alex Lange returned for the tenth, but allowed a walk-off RBI single after a sacrifice bunt put the “place” runner on third. He gave up a hit, an unearned run, and recorded the one strikeout over his two-thirds combined innings.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – No matter how much fantasy players crave consistent bullpen structure, A.J. Hinch remains evasive about labeling his reliever’s roles. Jason Foley took over in the seventh inning, his first time not in the eighth or ninth all year, and recorded two outs while giving up a single by Kyle Manzardo. Joey Wentz stranded him and worked 1.1 innings, allowing a hit and an unearned run while striking out one. Andrew Chafin suffered his second blown save, allowing a game-tying solo home run (David Fry), and struck out one over two-thirds of the ninth. Alex Lange retired Ramón Laureano via strikeout. In the ninth, after a sacrifice bunt, Brayan Rocchio produced an RBI single, scoring the walk-off run and handing Lange his second loss. He finishes with a hit and an unearned run allowed over two-thirds combined innings.
Based on recent usage patterns, and outcomes, it’s time for an adjustment of the hierarchy.
Adjusted Hierarchy: *Alex Lange | *Andrew Chafin | Jason Foley
*= closer-by-committee
May 7, 2024
(RP | DET): Preserving a four-run win, Alex Lange tossed a scoreless ninth, working around a walk.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Wrapping up a four-run win, Alex Lange tossed a scoreless bottom of the ninth despite walking one. He threw 20 pitches (50 Strike%) with two whiffs. This marked his seventh game-finished through 15 appearances. He also extended his scoreless streak to nine games, recording nine strikeouts against three walks with a 0.56 WHIP over nine innings. Andrew Chafin worked a scoreless eighth, allowing a hit. Alex Faedo notched his third hold, logging two clean frames and striking out one. Tyler Holton collected his third win, giving up two hits and striking out three over three scoreless innings.
It feels like Jason Foley sits on the hot seat, but until he’s displaced, leaving the hierarchy unchanged.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
May 5, 2024
(RP | DET): Taking over a tied game in the seventh, Shelby Miller was tagged with his fourth loss, allowing a hit, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one in a tumultuous one-third of an inning.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – During a rain-shortened contest, Alex Lange retired his only batter faced in the bottom of the seventh. Andrew Chafin let all three inherited runners score in the seventh, giving up a bases-clearing double by Juan Soto among his two hits and issued a walk over one-third of an inning. Shelby Miller was tagged with his fourth loss, allowing a hit, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out one over one-third of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
May 3, 2024
(RP | DET): A rough outing for Jason Foley. He could not preserve a one-run lead, suffering his first loss, and first blown save, giving up four hits and two earned runs without retiring a batter during a walk-off rally in the Bronx.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – All good streaks end, and on Friday night, Jason Foley suffered his first loss and his first blown save. In the ninth inning, he came in to pitch with a one-run lead. Unfortunately, he gave up a lead-off single to Aaron Judge, followed by a bunt single from Alex Verdugo. Giancarlo Stanton managed to hit an RBI single, and the game ended with a walk-off RBI hit by Anthony Rizzo. He allowed four hits and two earned runs without retiring a single batter. Over his last nine games, he owns a 1.93 WHIP with six strikeouts against five walks through 8.1 innings. Shelby Miller recorded his third hold, walking one during a scoreless eighth. Andrew Chafin stranded a runner while walking one over two-thirds scoreless in the seventh, securing his fifth hold. Alex Faedo turned in 1.1 scoreless frames, issuing a walk and striking out four for his second hold.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
May 1, 2024
(RP | DET): Not only did Alex Lange strand an inherited runner in the top of the eighth, he returned for the ninth, securing his second save while tossing 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one, and striking out two.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – After taking over in the eighth with two runners on and two outs, Alex Lange quelled the threat, striking out Willson Contreras. Lange returned for the ninth and worked around a two-out walk to Paul Goldschmidt with a game-ending strikeout of Alec Burleson. During his 1.1 scoreless frames, he threw 24 pitches (58.3 Strike%) and induced two whiffs. He’s been scoreless over his last seven outings, spanning 7.2 innings with nine strikeouts against two walks and a 0.52 WHIP. Joey Wentz was awarded his first hold, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out one in a combined scoreless inning of relief. Will Vest gave up two hits during two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
April 30, 2024
(RP | DET): Despite letting both inherited runners score after giving up a three-run home run, Tyler Holton collected his second win, courtesy of his teammates three-run rally in the bottom of the fifth in Game 2. He logged 1.1 innings, allowing one hit, one earned run, and a walk.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – (Game 2): Taking over in the top of the fifth, Tyler Holton let both inherited runners score, and an earned run on his ledger, allowing a three-run home run by Alec Burleson, but collected his second win over a combined inning of relief. Alex Faedo was credited with his first hold, tossing two innings, giving up three hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out three. Alex Lange worked 1.1 scoreless frames, walking one and striking out one, finishing the five-run win. This extended his scoreless streak to six games, during which he’s posted seven strikeouts versus one walk through 6.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
(RP | DET): Matching up with the Cardinals’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, Shelby Miller suffered his third loss, and second blown save, allowing three hits and two earned runs in the top of the ninth during Game 1.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – (Game 1): Entering with a 1-0 lead in the ninth, Shelby Miller matched up with the Cardinals’ 3-4-5 lineup pocket, but could not close out a win, allowing three consecutive one-out singles, scoring the tying run, then a go-ahead sacrifice fly. He suffered his third loss, and second blown save as a result of his outing. Jason Foley recorded his first hold, stranding an inherited runner in the eighth working around a single by Iván Herrera, then retiring the 1-2 hitters in the lineup. Andrew Chafin stranded a runner in the seventh, recorded an out in the eighth, and departed with a runner on in the eighth, securing his fourth hold.
Hierarchy remains (for now): Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
April 28, 2024
(RP | DET): Holding on for his ninth save, Jason Foley navigated around a lead-off walk and a single for a scoreless ninth, recording two strikeouts.
Analysis
Detroit Tigers – Despite issuing a lead-off walk (Salvador Perez) and allowing a single by Michael Massey, Jason Foley navigated around the next three batters, inducing a groundout and two strikeouts for a scoreless ninth, securing his ninth save. He threw 18 pitches (66.7 Strike%) and produced three whiffs (16.7 SwStr%) while converting his ninth save, in as many chances. He owns a 1.23 WHIP with 13 strikeouts against seven walks. Shelby Miller notched his second hold, tossing a scoreless eighth and striking out one, throwing seven pitches, all strikes. Foley’s appeared in two straight and should receive Monday off against the Cardinals.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
April 27, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Surviving a traffic-infused outing, Jason Foley recorded his eighth save. However, he allowed a lead-off single by Michael Massey, followed by an infield single, and a fielder’s choice groundout put runners at second and third. Another fielder’s choice groundout scored a run, then Bobby Witt Jr. produced an RBI single before a game-ending flyout to center. Foley allowed three hits and two earned runs, throwing 14 pitches (71.4 Strike%) with one whiff. Andrew Chafin retired the side in the eighth for his third hold. Alex Faedo collected his second win, tossing two clean frames.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
April 26, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Appearing during a loss, Alex Lange fired a clean top of the eighth, recording a strikeout. He threw 14 pitches (9 strikes – 64.3 Strike%) and produced two whiffs (14.3 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless over his last five outings, yielding two hits (0.40 WHIP) and striking out six (33.3 K%) with a 16.2 swinging strike percentage.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
April 23, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Securing his seventh save, Jason Foley fired a clean bottom of the ninth, striking out one while facing the 7-8-9 lineup pocket of the Rays. He threw nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) while inducing one whiff (11.1 SwStr%). He owns a 1.00 WHIP with 11 strikeouts against six walks through 11 innings. Alex Lange recorded his first hold, yielding a hit and striking out one during a scoreless eighth, facing the heart of the lineup. Alex Faedo collected his first win, and second blown save, allowing three hits, including a go-ahead two-run home run (Isaac Paredes), and a walk while striking out one, ahead of his team’s three-run rally in the top of the eighth.
Lange has recorded four straight scoreless outings, giving up two hits (0.50 WHIP) with five strikeouts. He’s produced 37 strikes on 54 pitches (68.5 Strike%) with nine whiffs (16.7 SwStr%). He’s streaky, but he could forge more high-leverage events moving forward, affecting the hierarchy change.
Adjusted hierarchy: Jason Foley | Alex Lange | Andrew Chafin
April 19, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Securing his sixth save, Jason Foley worked around a two-out walk of Willi Castro with a game-ending flyout, preserving a one-run win over the Twins. He threw 20 pitches (60 Strike%), induced two whiffs, and recorded one strikeout in his outing. He owns a 1.14 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus five walks over nine innings. Andrew Chafin collected his second win, retiring all four batters faced, and stranding a runner in the bottom of the seventh. Will Vest allowed a hit and struck out one in two-thirds scoreless in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
April 18, 2024
Detroit Tigers – During his outing in the ninth, Andrew Chafin gave up two hits, an earned run, and a walk while striking out one. Shelby Miller suffered his second loss, though his defense played a part, giving up a hit, an unearned run, and striking out one in the eighth. A failed rundown and a throwing error on a fielder’s choice scored the winning run. Alex Lange faced two batters and struck them out on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with four whiffs (44.4 SwStr%). Tyler Holton worked 1.1 scoreless innings, yielding two hits. Alex Faedo logged 2.1 innings, allowing a hit and an unearned run while striking out one.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
April 17, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Tasked with a tied game in the top of the ninth, Shelby Miller suffered his first loss, allowing a one-out single, and an RBI double by Josh Smith, scoring the deciding run. Miller threw 13 pitches (11 strikes – 84.6 Strike%) without a whiff. Will Vest fired 1.2 clean frames on 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and stranded a runner in the bottom of the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
April 15, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Hanging on for his fifth save, Jason Foley navigated around a single by Wyatt Langford and a walk, before retiring the next two hitters, preserving a two-run win over Texas. He threw 14 pitches (8 strikes – 57.1 Strike%) without a whiff. He owns a 1.11 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus five walks through his first nine innings. Andrew Chafin retired all four batters he faced, three via strikeout, while collecting his first win, throwing 19 pitches (12 strikes – 63.2 Strike%) with two whiffs. Alex Lange fired a clean seventh, striking out one on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) and inducing one whiff.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
April 14, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Capping a come-from-behind rally in the bottom of the eighth, Jason Foley recorded his fourth save with a scoreless ninth, issuing two, two-out walks before inducing a game-ending groundout by Ryan Jeffers. Foley threw 27 pitches (14 strikes – 51.9 Strike%) and induced only one whiff. After this outing, he owns a 1.00 WHIP with nine strikeouts versus four walks over 7.1 innings. Will Vest collected his first win, firing 1.2 clean frames, and stranding a runner in the seventh.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
April 13, 2024
Detroit Tigers – (Game 1): Suffering his first loss, Alex Lange had an eventful outing, walking the lead-off hitter, a sacrifice bunt loaded the bases, and he walked in the go-ahead run, scoring the “place” runner. He then recorded consecutive strikeouts before an error broke the game open, scoring three unearned runs. Jason Foley logged two innings, allowing a hit and an unearned run while striking out two. He threw 21 pitches (17 strikes – 81 Strike%) and inducing five whiffs (23.8 SwStr%). Shelby Miller was tagged with his first blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run (Ryan Jeffers), and striking out two over 1.1 innings. Tyler Holton notched his second hold, retiring all five batters faced, one via strikeout. (Game 2): During an eventual loss, Joey Wentz logged 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out four.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
April 9, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Finishing off a comeback rally, Jason Foley secured his third save, navigating around two hits for a scoreless ninth, preserving a two-run win in Pittsburgh. He threw 11 pitches (10 strikes – 90.9 Strike%) with zero whiffs. He owns a 0.94 WHIP with seven strikeouts versus two walks over 5.1 innings. Shelby Miller collected his third win, firing a clean bottom of the eighth on an efficient seven pitches. He’s the first pitcher this season with three wins. Alex Lange tossed a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out one, throwing 22 pitches (12 strikes – 54.5 Strike%) while producing five whiffs (22.7 SwStr%). Tyler Holton served up a solo home run (Edward Olivares, and recorded a strikeout in the sixth.
Hierarchy remains: Jason Foley | Shelby Miller | Andrew Chafin
April 5, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Just when it felt safe trusting a Tigers reliever, matching-up by lineup pockets appears. In ascending order of appearances, Will Vest suffered his first blown save, letting his only inherited runner score, allowing an RBI double by Ryan Noda, issuing a walk, and striking out one. During a tied game in the eighth, Jason Foley faced the 3-4-5 lineup pocket, retiring the side in order while recording two strikeouts on nine pitches (77.8 Strike%) with two whiffs (22.2 SwStr%) and collected his second win courtesy of a rally in the bottom of the frame. Andrew Chafin opened the ninth but gave up two walks while striking out one over two-thirds scoreless before getting lifted, resulting in his second hold. Alex Lange entered with two runners on, striking out his only batter faced on four pitches (75 Strike%) and getting one whiff (25 SwStr%) for his first save this season.
Hierarchy remains: *Jason Foley | *Shelby Miller | *Andrew Chafin
*=closer-by-committee
April 4, 2024
Detroit Tigers – (Game 1): Collecting his second win, Shelby Miller tossed two scoreless innings, stranding both “place” runners, navigating around two walks, and striking out four. He threw 34 pitches (18 strikes – 52.9 Strike%) and induced three whiffs. He owns a 0.33 WHIP with six strikeouts over six innings through four games this season. Jason Foley issued a lead-off walk (Brandon Nimmo), allowed a stolen base, recorded a strikeout, walked Pete Alonso, and produced an inning-ending double play ground-out, keeping the game tied. He only gave up 15 walks last year and never walked two during any of his 70 appearances. He threw 25 pitches (64 Strike%) with one whiff. Andrew Chafin fired a clean eighth, striking out one. Alex Lange worked a scoreless seventh, walking one and striking out two. Joey Wentz logged 1.2 scoreless frames, but let his only inherited runner score, yielding a hit and a walk while striking out one.
Detroit Tigers – (Game 2): Taking over in the sixth, Tyler Holton worked two scoreless frames, yielding a hit and striking out one for his first hold. He has picked up where he left off last season, logging 4.1 scoreless innings with six strikeouts versus zero walks while recording a 0.46 WHIP. Alex Faedo gave up a game-tying home run to Pete Alonso, issued a walk to Brett Baty, followed by a sacrifice bunt and walk-off RBI single by Tyrone Taylor, resulting in his first loss and his first blown save.
April 1, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Closing out a combined shutout, Shelby Miller retired the side in order in the bottom of the 10th, stranding the “place” runner. He threw 16 pitches (50 Strike%) without a whiff. Jason Foley collected his first win, tossing a scoreless ninth, giving up a hit, and striking out two on 15 pitches (80 Strike%) with two whiffs (13.3 SwStr%). Alex Faedo logged two scoreless frames, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three. Will Vest stranded a runner and retired his only batter faced in the sixth.
March 31, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Once again, fantasy favor fell upon Jason Foley. He took over a one-run contest facing two right-handed hitters and retired both for his second save of the season. He only threw seven pitches (57.1 Strike%) without a whiff. He turned in 1.1 clean frames with two strikeouts. Tyler Holton fired 1.1 clean innings, striking out four on 19 pitches (13 strikes – 68.4 Strike%) with two whiffs while collecting his first win. Andrew Chafin suffered his first blown save, serving up a game-tying solo home run by Paul DeJong in the seventh.
March 30, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Logging two scoreless frames, including the bottom of the 10th, Shelby Miller collected his first win. He threw 17 pitches (10 strikes – 58.8 Strike%) with one whiff. Through two clean outings, he’s recorded two strikeouts over three innings. Will Vest worked 1.2 scoreless innings, stranding the bases-loaded in the seventh, and giving up a hit while striking out two, keeping the game tied. Alex Lange entered in the seventh but walked the bases loaded and recorded on out, throwing 23 pitches (8 strikes – 34.8 Strike%). Tyler Holton tossed a scoreless sixth, yielding a hit and striking out one. Alex Faedo turned in 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing a hit and striking out one.
March 28, 2024
Detroit Tigers – It did not take long for some chaos on Opening Day courtesy of A.J. Hinch. With one out and a 1-0 lead, Jason Foley took over against the White Sox’s second and third hitters, retiring both on strikeouts for his first save of the season. He threw 11 pitches (72.7 Strike%) and induced three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). Andrew Chafin notched his first hold, firing 1.1 clean frames and recording two strikeouts. Shelby Miller also secured his first hold with a clean seventh, striking out one. No word on why Alex Lange was not used unless the relievers were assigned lineup pockets.
March 24, 2024
Detroit Tigers – Logging two shutout frames, Beau Brieske secured his first spring save, scattering two hits and striking out two. He’s recorded 13.1 scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and a 0.38 WHIP through seven appearances. Will Vest collected his first win, tossing a scoreless seventh, yielding a hit, and striking out one. Alex Lange fired a clean sixth, striking out one on 16 pitches (62.5 Strike%) with two whiffs (12.5 SwStr%). He’s been scoreless in his last five outings with seven strikeouts against one walk. Andrew Chafin retired his only batter faced, stranding a runner in the fifth.
March 19, 2024
Detroit Tigers – In a scoreless tie, Shelby Miller fired a clean sixth, striking out one on 11 pitches (63.6 Strike%) with three whiffs (27.3 SwStr%). He’s logged five spring outings producing a 0.80 WHIP with seven strikeouts against one walk. Alex Lange retired the side in order in the seventh, recording two strikeouts. He threw 12 pitches (75 Strike%) and induced four whiffs (33.3 SwStr%). Through his first five outings, he owns a 1.40 WHIP with a 9:2 K:BB over five innings.
March 2, 2024
Detroit Tigers – It’s assumed Alex Lange will open the season as his team’s primary save share. However, the Tigers signed two veterans capable of providing high-leverage innings this season. On Saturday, Andrew Chafin fired a clean outing, striking out two on seven pitches (all strikes) while producing three whiffs (42.9 swinging strike percentage). Shelby Miller tossed a clean fourth, striking out one. He threw eight pitches (87.5 Strike percentage) and induced three whiffs (37.5 swinging strike rate). Jason Foley had a rough outing resulting in his first loss, and first blown save this spring.
September 21, 2023
Detroit Tigers — See! Will! Vest! See Will Vest! We’ll admit he’s not the best. But when the Tigers need a vulture, he’s the righty that they culture. Lange’s a mensch, but on the bench; had to get his arm refreshed. Holy moley, Jason Foley’s gotta sit and watch his homey — that’s Will Vest! Wasn’t stressed: he got five outs with flair and zest. Yes, Detroit chose to exploit their bullpen guest! Will’s ringing up the K’s, Thursday he’ll spank the A’s, see Will Vest, see Will Vest, seeeee Willll Vessssssssst!
Updated hierarchy: Lange | Foley | Vest.
September 17, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Alex Lange gave up three runs to blow a save in the bottom of the 9th but ended up with the win after the Tigers took the lead again in the top of the 10th. Beau Brieske and Jason Foley both pitched earlier in the game so that left Will Vest for the bottom of the 10th and he pitched a scoreless inning for his first save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Brieske.
September 10, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Alex Lange went 1.1 perfect innings with a pair of strikeouts to pick up his 22nd save of the season. Lange has cut his walks down and seems to be settling back into the role as he has recorded the last five saves for the Tigers. We will get rid of the committee label and hope Lange can keep it going through the end of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Brieske.
September 1, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Just when it seems like he pulls us back in, Alex Lange burns us once again. On Thursday, Lange was protecting a 3-0 lead in the ninth inning when he yielded a game-tying, three-run shot to blow the save. Lange, who had been on a run of seven straight scoreless outings before Thursday, is still likely the Tigers closer moving forward, but we’ll see how he trends over the final few weeks.
Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Brieske.
* = closer-by-committee
August 23, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Just when we thought it might be time to anoint Jason Foley Tigers closer, Alex Lange stepped back up to earn two straight saves. There’s been no official word from the team, but if Lange can overcome his struggle with wildness, we expect him to have the edge in a closer rotation.
Updated hierarchy: *Lange | Foley | Brieske.
* = closer-by-committee
August 21, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Jason Foley needed a night off, and it was Alex Lange who got the call in the 9th inning. Lange had been struggling with his command all month, but didn’t walk a single batter and closed the game out for his 18th save on the year. If this had been closer its possible we would’ve seen a different arm coming out for Detroit, but with a clean save here we will slot Lange back into the hierarchy for now.
Updated hierarchy: *Foley | Brieske | Lange.
* = closer-by-committee
August 20, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Jason Foley struck out a pair in a perfect 9th inning to record his 7th save of the season. Foley has recorded the last three saves for the Tigers and one more should be enough to kick the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: *Foley | Brieske | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
August 13, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Jason Foley returned from the bereavement list yesterday and recorded the last five outs of a 6-2 win to pick up his 5th save of the season. Foley will likely be the best bet for a save on any given night at this point and we will monitor this to see how it shakes out over the next few weeks.
Hierarchy remains: *Foley | Brieske | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
August 11, 2023
Detroit Tigers – After AJ Hinch’s weekend comments, we figured the Tigers would start mixing and matching in the 9th, and that strategy continued Thursday, with Beau Brieske picking up the save with two scoreless innings. It’s his second save in six days, so we’ll add him to this hierarchy and bounce off Lange, who hasn’t seen any high-leverage action lately. More importantly, we’re still deciding on whether to call Brieske “Ice Cold,” “12-Hour Smoked,” or to appropriate beat writer Jason Beck’s brilliant SNL reference. Sound off in the comments. (Just kidding, we don’t have comments and never will; you guys are psychos.)
Updated hierarchy: *Foley | Brieske | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
August 10, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Jose Cisnero’s entry into the game up five with the bases loaded was enough to earn him a save on the strength of a single strikeout. Cisnero was probably second in line Wednesday due to Jason Foley’s temporary placement on the bereavement list.
Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Holton.
* = closer-by-committee
August 8, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Alex Lange pitched the 8th inning last night in a game that the Tigers were losing by 8 runs, which feels like as good a time as any to highlight this AJ Hinch quote from the weekend, whereupon he gave Lange whatever the opposite of a vote of confidence is. (A vote of unconfidence?) Anyway, we’re adding the committee tag here and seeing how this plays out.
Updated hierarchy: *Lange | Foley | Holton.
* = closer-by-committee
August 6, 2023
Detroit Tigers — For the second straight appearance, Alex Lange really struggled with his control. Lange walked the first two batters he faced but was able to get a double play from the next batter. However, after Lange walked Wander Franco, the Tigers pulled him and brought on Beau Brieske. Brieske retired the only batter he faced for his first save. If Lange’s control issues continue, we could see Jason Foley and Tyler Holton, who got the 8th inning hold last night, in the mix for saves.
Updated hierarchy: Lange | Foley | Holton
August 3, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Alex Lange struck out the first two hitters in the ninth inning with a four-run lead, but then things went off the rails; three walks and a single brought the winning run to the plate. Rookie lefty Tyler Holton entered the game and secured his first career save with a strikeout.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
July 21, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Jason Foley pitched a scoreless ninth inning Thursday for his fourth save. He’s been great this year (2.13 ERA and 1.06 WHIP), but it doesn’t appear he’s taking the closer’s gig or anything at this time. I mean, we just yanked the asterisk from this bullpen! It’s likely that manager A.J. Hinch did not want to use both Alex Lange and Foley in the same game again in case he needs one of them on Friday, as both had gone in two of three and three of five entering Thursday. Foley is now at three of four and four of six, so Lange should be fresher for Friday and the weekend.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
Detroit Tigers — Alex Lange seems to have secured his position at the end of Detroit’s bullpen and we’ll pull the committee asterisk accordingly.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
July 9, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Alex Lange threw a perfect 9th inning to pick up his 13th save of the season and finish off a combined no-hitter with Matt Manning and Jason Foley.
Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
June 30, 2023
Detroit Tigers – The rough stretch continued Thursday for Alex Lange, who allowed a pair of runs on two singles, two walks and a sac fly against the Rangers. Control was an issue for Lange, who threw just 13 of his 23 pitches for strikes. In June, Lange has allowed 12 runs on 11 hits and 10 walks in just 9.1 innings. He had a nice run to start the season, so his full stat line doesn’t look so bad (4.13 ERA, 12 saves, 1.29 WHIP), but one has to wonder if others (like Jason Foley) might see more looks in the ninth soon.
Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
June 25, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Alex Lange recorded all four of his outs via strikeout yesterday to close out a 3-2 Tigers win and pick up his 12th save of the season. Jason Foley picked up the hold ahead of Lange. Lange has had two straight impressive outings and could remove the committee tag with a couple more.
Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
June 20, 2023
Detroit Tigers – After a brutal outing on Sunday, Alex Lange turned in a perfect 9th inning, needing just 12 pitches to dispatch the Royals for his 11th save. The Tigers have been mixing and matching more with Lange and Jason Foley, so the committee tag stays for the time being, but Lange owners can breathe a sigh of relief.
Hierarchy remains: *Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
June 19, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Alex Lange had a dreadful appearance, allowing all five hitters he faced to reach base (1 hit, 2 walks, 2 HBP), but the Tigers hung on thanks to a 2-inning save from Jason Foley, who relieved Lange and was spectacular, logging 4 Ks and allowing just one hit as he closed out the victory. We’ve got a committee here, folks.
Updated hierarchy: *Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
June 9, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Alex Lange was rocked Thursday, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk to blow the save and take his second loss. He has allowed six earned runs in two appearances this week to raise his ERA from 1.11 to 3.20.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
May 23, 2023
Detroit Tigers – Jose Cisnero picked up his first save of the season, pitching the bottom of the 10th after the Tigers scored 3 runs in the top half. Alex Lange had already pitched 2 innings to keep the game tied.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
April 26, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Jason Foley picked up his second save of the season on Tuesday, just as the Vulture Save Watch predicted.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
April 19, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Alex Lange pitched in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader, which left the save chance in game two to Jason Foley. Foley tossed a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first career save and extend his scoreless streak to 6.2 IP.. He has allowed just one hit over that scoreless stretch.
Updated hierarchy: Lange | Foley | Cisnero.
April 14, 2023
Detroit Tigers — That’s more like it, A.J. Hinch. Alex Lange was used in the ninth inning of a save situation Thursday, nailing down the save on just 10 pitches. He will most likely be used as the team’s closer moving forward, but we’ll continue to monitor things.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Cisnero | Foley.
April 13, 2023
Detroit Tigers — Some weird stuff from A.J. Hinch on Wednesday. Up two in the eighth with all of his relievers rested, he called on closer Alex Lange. After Lange threw 12 pitches against Toronto’s 9-1-2 hitters, he was lifted in the ninth for Trey Wingenter, whose only career save came on a vulture opportunity in April 2019. Wingenter loaded the bases with a single, walk, and hit batsman, and left in favor of Chasen Shreve, who managed to hold the Blue Jays to two runs on sacrifice flies. Jose Cisnero finally entered in the tenth and gave up a walk-off single. Hinch didn’t offer much of a defense for his tactics after the game, and we certainly don’t have an explanation for it. Could be another long season in Detroit.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Cisnero | Foley.
April 4, 2023
Detroit Tigers – After an Alex Lange blown save sent the game to extras, the Tigers scored twice in the top of the 11th inning, with Garrett Hill picking up his first career save in the bottom half. Hill, who was used as a swingman in 2022, isn’t cracking the hierarchy yet, but it was a good outing, as he only allowed the automatic runner to score.
Hierarchy remains: Lange | Cisnero | Foley.
March 13, 2023
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers traded closer Gregory Soto in January, and two other key members of their bullpen last year, Andrew Chafin and Joe Jimenez, are not on the roster. That leaves a pretty open bullpen and the Tigers will probably add another piece before the season starts. Alex Lange seems like the most logical candidate to close out games as he posted some elite numbers last year, including a whiff rate of 44.1 percent and an exit velocity that ranked in the top ten percent of the league. However, he also led the league in wild pitches, so control is definitely an issue. Veteran Jose Cisnero could be in the mix if Lange struggles with walks and Jason Foley is another candidate to round out the back end of the Tigers’ bullpen. Another guy to watch is Trevor Rosenthal; the Tigers signed him to a minor league deal, and there is certainly an opportunity here if he can regain his past form.
Starting 2023 hierarchy: Lange | Cisnero | Foley.
Holds candidates: Cisnero, Foley, Will Vest, Tyler Alexander.
October 4, 2022
Detroit Tigers – Andrew Chafin got his 2nd save of the season, with Gregory Soto getting the night off. It might be the tail end of the season, but the VSW has still got it!
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Chafin | Lange.
October 2, 2022
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers called on Gregory Soto in the 8th inning with a runner on third and one out trying to protect a one run lead. He made it very interesting but was able to escape without allowing a run. That left Andrew Chafin for the 9th inning and he struck out a pair in a scoreless inning to record his second save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Chafin | Lange.
September 25, 2022
Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez has been placed on the IL with a back injury after enjoying a solid season for the Tigers’ bullpen. Alex Lange should see more time in the later innings with Jimenez out.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Chafin | Lange.
August 29, 2022
Detroit Tigers – Gregory Soto made a mess of the 9th inning in what was initially a non-save situation, allowing a walk and three hits (including a home run) while only recording one out. Joe Jimenez bailed him out by getting the game’s final two outs, earning his second save in the process.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Jimenez | Chafin.
August 3, 2022
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers traded setup man Michael Fulmer to Minnesota and then proceeded to defeat the Twins later that night. After Andrew Chafin tossed a perfect seventh inning, Joe Jimenez took Fulmer’s usual eighth-inning role, pitching a scoreless frame ahead of Gregory Soto.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Jimenez | Chafin.
July 9, 2022
Detroit Tigers — The night after Gregory Soto threw 21 pitches, the Tigers turned to the rested Michael Fulmer to close out a 2 run lead. He worked around a HBP and a single to pick up his 2nd save on the year. Detroit has had one of the most consistent bullpen hierarchies on the year, and last night’s vulture save doesn’t change that. Look for Soto to be ready to go for the rest of the weekend.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Fulmer | Chafin.
May 26, 2022
Detroit Tigers — Andrew Chafin picked up the 10th-inning save for Detroit on Wednesday after Gregory Soto and Michael Fulmer had already been used. Alex Lange has also been excellent in 20 appearances this season and is battling for a hierarchy role.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Fulmer | Chafin.
May 21, 2022
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers lost last night, but before the game they placed Will Vest on the 10-day IL due to COVID. Vest had been finding a groove, but will miss at least the next week, giving Andrew Chafin a shot at some higher leverage work.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Chafin.
May 15, 2022
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers went right back to Gregory Soto to protect a 9th inning lead and he responded with a scoreless inning for his 5th save of the season. Fantasy owners will be happy to see the save and also happy to see that Soto didn’t walk a batter for the first time in his last four appearances.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Fulmer | Vest.
May 14, 2022
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto was handed a 2 run lead going into the 9th last night, and while the box score doesn’t look bad, it masks the fact that he hit the first two batters he faced, and walked a third. Will Vest came in to put out the fire, and struck out both batters he faced, preserving the win and Soto’s ERA. Vest hasn’t allowed a hit in 7 appearances in May, and kept that going to earn his first career save. Expect that to change, as a near Houdini will turn some heads in Detroit. After the game manager AJ Hinch said that Soto was “struggling with the strike zone” and the stats bear that out, with Soto only striking out 9 batters on the season compared with 8 walks. It’s too early to move Soto out as closer, but the early hook is never good to see, and it may be time to handcuff him with Michael Fulmer.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Vest.
May 5, 2022
Detroit Tigers — Andrew Chafin pitched the seventh for his first hold of the year on Wednesday, and he’s moved ahead of Joe Jimenez, who mopped up in a loss in the other doubleheader game.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Chafin.
April 16, 2022
Detroit Tigers — The Vulture Save Watch strikes again. With Gregory Soto needing a rest after pitching in 3 of 4, it was Michael Fulmer who got the tough save chance. Fulmer pitched a perfect 9th inning to earn his first save on the year. Joe Jimenez pitched a clean 8th inning and has yet to give up a run on the year. Soto should be back for the rest of the weekend series, but the entire Detroit bullpen is on a roll right now.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Jimenez.
March 22, 2022
Detroit Tigers — Given the signings of Javier Baez and Eduardo Rodriguez, and the likely debuts of top prospects of Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene, Detroit intends to compete in 2022. This should mean more save chances for… who exactly? In October, manager AJ Hinch said Gregory Soto was his closer, and we have to take him at his word even if he was being a bit coy. Michael Fulmer and Jose Cisnero round out the hierarchy to start 2022.
Starting 2022 hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Cisnero.
Holds candidates: Fulmer, Cisnero, Andrew Chafin, Kyle Funkhouser, Joe Jimenez.
September 22, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Our inclinations were right; after two straight off days, Michael Fulmer recorded the final four outs of Tuesday’s tilt to earn his 11th save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Fulmer | Funkhouser | Lange.
September 21, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Alex Lange picked up his first save of the year with a clean 9th inning. This might be a committee, but we’re more inclined to think that Michael Fulmer is still the guy here, and that the Tigers just gave him two days off after pitching him twice over the weekend.
Hierarchy remains: Fulmer | Funkhouser | Lange.
September 20, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Kyle Funkhouser got the save on Sunday, with Michael Fulmer getting the day off. If you read the Vulture Save Watch, you already knew this.
Hierarchy remains: Fulmer | Funkhouser | Lange.
September 19, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Michael Fulmer pitched a scoreless 9th inning to pick up his 10th save of the season. With Gregory Soto being placed on the IL today, Fulmer should continue to see save chances for the remainder of the season.
Updated hierarchy: Fulmer | Funkhouser | Lange.
September 19, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto has been placed on the IL with a fractured finger. Michael Fulmer should close for the rest of the season with Kyle Funhouser seeing any saves when Fulmer is unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Fulmer | Funkhouser | Lange.
September 16, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Michael Fulmer earned the vulture save that the Vulture Save Watch predicted he would. We hope he earned it for your team.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Fulmer | Funkhouser.
September 15, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Jose Cisnero slipped on some stairs and split open the the outside of his elbow; eight stitches later, he’s on the IL. Kyle Funkhouser, whose family has a history of injuring their elbow at home, replaces Cisnero in the Detroit hierarchy.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Funkhouser.
August 25, 2021
Detroit Tigers — When a 4-0 lead in the eighth inning became a 4-1 lead, the Tigers turned to Michael Fulmer to get out of a jam and prevent further damage. Fulmer allowed two inherited runners to score but got out of the jam with a one-run advantage. He then stayed on for a perfect ninth inning to earn the save and give Gregory Soto and extra day of rest. Fulmer appears to have overtaken Jose Cisnero as Soto’s handcuff.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Fulmer | Cisnero.
August 23, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Old friend Joe Jimenez got an 11th inning save on Sunday, his first of the season. He doesn’t factor in to the Tigers usual late inning plans.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Cisnero | Fulmer.
August 13, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto got the night off Thursday after pitching in two straight, making way for Michael Fulmer, not Jose Cisnero, to earn the two-inning save. Cisnero had also gone in two straight, so perhaps he needed rest too.
Hierarchy remains: Soto | Cisnero | Fulmer.
July 28, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto was unavailable after throwing 42 pitches on Monday, so Daniel Norris picked up an extra-inning save after Kyle Funkouser and Jose Cisnero had already pitched. The bigger news for the Tigers bullpen is the return of Michael Fulmer. AJ Hinch said that after today’s planned middle-inning appearance he will read and react in terms of Fulmer’s ability to go back-to-back or multiple innings, though otherwise Fulmer is not restricted. We’ll add Fulmer back to the hierarchy for now and see what type of high-leverage work he gets.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Cisnero | Fulmer.
July 22, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto seems to be running away with the closer job in Detroit, and his fourth straight save will see him bid farewell to the committee asterisk.
Updated hierarchy: Soto | Cisnero | Funkhouser.
July 21, 2021
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers have opened the second half of the season on a five-game win streak, with Gregory Soto earning a pair of saves in that stretch, including his ninth of the year on Tuesday. Soto has the team’s last three saves and if he locks down the next one he should lose the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: *Soto | Cisnero | Funkhouser.
* = closer-by-committee
July 18, 2021
Detroit Tigers — The Vulture Save Watch predicted that Gregory Soto could get a save yesterday because of the Tigers’ doubleheader and sure enough, Soto picked up his eighth save of the season with a scoreless inning in a 1-0 win. However, it doesn’t look like Soto got the save because there was a doubleheader yesterday as he was used to close out game one. Meanwhile, Jose Cisnero came on in the fifth inning of game two trying to protect a one-run lead but allowed an inherited runner to score. Soto now has the last two saves for the Tigers and given the usage and results from yesterday’s doubleheader, we will move Soto to the head of this committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Cisnero | Funkhouser.
* = closer-by-committee
July 8, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto, Detroit’s lone All-Star representative, showed his stuff on Wednesday with a two-inning save. The 26-year-old lefty will continue to split chances with Jose Cisnero in the Tigers’ bullpen.
Hierarchy remains: *Cisnero | Soto | Funkhouser.
* = closer-by-committee
June 28, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Michael Fulmer was placed on the IL yesterday with a neck strain, marking his second trip to the list this month. While the timeline for his return isn’t available, Manager AJ Hinch said that he would at least be out for the Cleveland series and that they weren’t going to roster a player who couldn’t pitch. We already saw that Jose Cisnero was closing the gap in the Detroit hierarchy, but this latest injury to Fulmer makes it officially his job to lose. Gregory Soto will bump to first in line after picking up the win last night and could be an option for the 9th inning if the matchups dictate it. Kyle Funkhouser will see more time in the later innings and Miguel Del Pozo could be a guy to watch. Del Pozo was called up to replace Fulmer, and while his career big league numbers are not great, he has been lighting up AAA this season, sporting a 1.02 ERA and a 12.1 K/9.
Updated hierarchy: *Cisnero | Soto | Funkhouser.
* = closer-by-committee
June 27, 2021
Detroit Tigers – In the first game of their doubleheader yesterday, the Tigers sent Jose Cisnero out there in the 7th inning to protect a two-run lead. He locked down his third save of the season with a perfect inning. In the second game of the doubleheader, Michael Fulmer allowed a pair of homers and took the loss. This is still very much a committee with the three-headed back of the bullpen of Fulmer, Cisnero, and Gregory Soto allowing manager AJ Hinch to mix and match to finish games. We will leave Michael Fulmer at the top of the committee for now as he has been getting the 9th inning most consistently since returning from the IL. However, Jose Cisnero has been pitching extremely well and if he gets the next save chance over Fulmer, we will likely make a change.
Hierarchy remains: *Fulmer | Cisnero | Soto.
* = closer-by-committee
June 17, 2021
Detroit Tigers – With a three-run lead the Tigers used Jose Cisnero in the eighth inning and saved recently activated Michael Fulmer for the ninth inning. It wasn’t the smoothest save for Fulmer, as he gave up two runs off of three hits, but he closed the door for his fifth save of the year. Fulmer was the head of the committee before his IL stint and after last night’s save we’re bumping him back to that spot.
Updated hierarchy: *Fulmer | Cisnero | Soto.
* = closer-by-committee
June 16, 2021
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers stayed away from Jose Cisnero after he threw 26 pitches on Monday, so Gregory Soto closed out Tuesday’s win for his sixth save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: *Cisnero | Soto | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee
June 15, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Michael Fulmer returned from the IL to pitch a scoreless 8th inning. It’s probably safe to assume he will work his way back into high-leverage spots pretty quickly.
Updated hierarchy: *Cisnero | Soto | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee
June 9, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Jose Cisnero has picked up the Tigers’ last two saves, which have also been the first two saves of his MLB career, while Michael Fulmer recovers from a shoulder strain. We’ll move him to the top of the hierarchy based off this usage. Speaking of Fulmer, AJ Hinch said that early diagnosis of Fulmer is good.
Updated hierarchy: *Cisnero | Soto | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
June 7, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Michael Fulmer hit the IL with a shoulder strain, leaving the ninth inning to a combination of Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Cisnero | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
June 6, 2021
Detroit Tigers — As expected, Michael Fulmer was placed on the IL today with a right shoulder strain. The Tigers will likely mix and match with Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero in the ninth inning while Fulmer is out.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Cisnero | Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
June 6, 2021
Detroit Tigers — With the Tigers protecting a one-run lead, Gregory Soto came out for the 8th and pitched a scoreless inning. However, there was no sign of Michael Fulmer warming in the bullpen for the 9th, and that left Jose Cisnero to come on for the save. Cisnero responded with a scoreless inning for his first save of the season. Manager AJ Hinch said after the game that Fulmer was unavailable due to arm fatigue and it sounds like he could be placed on the IL. If Fulmer does end up going on the IL, we will send out an alert but Soto and Cisnero are good guys to speculate on if you don’t want to wait.
Hierarchy remains: *Fulmer | Soto | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
May 27, 2021
Detroit Tigers — More committee business in Detroit, where Michael Fulmer handled the top of the order in the eighth and Gregory Soto took the ninth (and some lefties) for his fifth save of the season. Maybe we should all move to drafting team bullpens instead of closers, like we do defenses in football. On second thought, that would render us irrelevant, so just forget we mentioned it, okay?
Hierarchy remains: *Fulmer | Soto | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
May 18, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Michael Fulmer picked up his third save yesterday (all since May 5th), throwing a scoreless inning after Gregory Soto got the last out of the 8th. Fulmer moves to the top of this committee and could look to run with the job.
Updated hierarchy: *Fulmer | Soto | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
May 16, 2021
Detroit Tigers — With the game tied in the top of the 9th inning, a spot where a team will typically use its closer, the Tigers sent Michael Fulmer to the mound. Fulmer threw a scoreless 9th and then came back out for the 10th with the game still tied. He allowed the extra-innings runner to score but nothing else and ended up with the win after the Tigers rallied for two in the bottom of the inning. Fulmer is certainly trending up and we will slide him up one spot on the hierarchy. We will continue to monitor this and see how the Tigers use Fulmer and Gregory Soto moving forward.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Fulmer | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
May 14, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto was given his customary save chance Thursday, but when he ran into trouble (just one out and 2 ER), Michael Fulmer came on to get the final two outs on five pitches to earn his second save. It’s the second time this month Fulmer has come into the game to rescue Soto, who allowed a couple of runs in the 10th inning of a win against Boston last week. Fulmer (3.71 ERA, 1.13 WHIP) has done it all for the Tigers this season, starting four games and saving two, but it appears his most recent work might be something he continues to do more often.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Cisnero | Fulmer.
* = closer-by-committee
May 6, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto pitched the ninth inning in a tied game and came back out with the Tigers up three in the tenth. After two hits and a wild pitch, he was pulled for Tuesday night’s starter, Michael Fulmer, who followed up his lousy 33-pitch outing with a fairly effective 10-pitch save. Often we’ll give out free Premium to the first person who can prove they started the pitcher in a situation like this, but we don’t want to reward that kind of negligence.
Hierarchy remains: *Soto | Cisnero | B.Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
April 28, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Gregory Soto pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out Tuesday’s win. Soto has recorded the Tigers’ last two saves, while Bryan Garcia hasn’t seen the ninth inning since his save on April 14. We’ll slide Soto to the top of the hierarchy ahead of Jose Cisnero, who pitched the eighth on Tuesday, and Garcia.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Cisnero | B.Garcia.
* = closer-by-committee
April 26, 2021
Detroit Tigers – Buck Farmer allowed two more runs yesterday and is off to a rough start this season. The Tigers will continue to mix and match in the late innings, but it’s unlikely that Farmer gets much high-leverage work until he can lower his 9.72 ERA.
Updated hierarchy: *B.Garcia | Soto | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
April 15, 2021
Detroit Tigers — Up three in the eighth and facing the top of the Astros order, AJ Hinch turned to Gregory Soto, perhaps hoping that the 26-year-old could get a six-out save. But Soto loaded the bases (error, walk, hit) and even an inning-ending double play couldn’t get him a shot at the ninth — that was left, for some reason, for Jose Cisnero, whose two appearances earlier in the week each involved earned runs. Cisnero loaded the bases as quickly as possible, daring Bryan Garcia to really earn a save, and wouldn’t you know it, the youngster stepped up, striking out two around a flyout — and even throwing in a walk to keep Cisnero’s ER streak alive. It’s the little things. There’s nothing remotely solid here, but we like Garcia to get the next shot after a performance like that.
Updated hierarchy: *Garcia | Soto | Farmer.
* = closer-by-committee
April 4, 2021
Detroit Tigers – After Gregory Soto recorded the save in the Tigers’ opening day victory, it was Bryan Garcia who got the call in the second game of the season. Manager AJ Hinch has not named a closer yet, so this looks like a committee for now. We will leave Soto at the top of the committee because we think he has the potential to be an elite reliever, but Soto was warming up to face the top of the Indians’ lineup yesterday so the Tigers may choose to use Soto before the 9th if the game dictates that.
Hierarchy remains: *Soto | Garcia | Farmer.
* = closer-by-committee
March 3, 2021
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers’ bullpen looks to be wide open at this point and will be something to watch as we get closer to the regular season. A.J. Hinch will name a closer but it’s hard to say who that will be. Bryan Garcia finished the year as the closer but is not guaranteed to be in that same role to start this season. Gregory Soto has elite stuff but needs to throw more strikes. Hinch had good things to say about Buck Farmer, who will have an important role in the Tigers’ bullpen. Joe Jimenez, who finished last year strong, could also be in the mix. We will go with the raw stuff in Soto for now but we will monitor this situation closely through spring training.
Starting 2021 hierarchy: Soto | Garcia | Farmer.
Holds candidates: Farmer, Garcia, Jose Cisnero.
September 20, 2020
Detroit Tigers – After the Tigers rallied for four runs in the bottom of the 8th, Bryan Garcia came out for the 9th and converted his third save of the season. Garcia has now made eleven straight scoreless appearances. This does not appear to be a committee anymore as Garcia has solidified himself as the primary closer.
Hierarchy remains: Garcia | Soto | Cisnero.
September 11, 2020
Detroit Tigers – It appears there’s a new saves option in Detroit. Bryan Garcia earned his second save Thursday, just days after closing out Sunday’s win. In between, Garcia got the final out Tuesday in an 8-3 victory after coming into the game with two men on and two outs. Asked about Garcia after the game, manager Ron Gardenhire said, “We think he’s got the moxie to be able to do it.” We’ll slide Garcia to the top of this committee, and it looks like he might shake the asterisk by early next week if he keeps pitching well.
Updated hierarchy: *Garcia | Soto | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
September 7, 2020
Detroit Tigers – With the Tigers’ top three relievers getting the day off, Bryan Garcia got the 9th on Sunday, converting for his first career save. Garcia is giving off some serious Danny Kolb 2004 vibes, as he’s got a 7/5 K/BB ratio through 16 innings so far but somehow is rocking a minuscule 1.69 ERA. Still, with the Detroit bullpen in flux, we’ll watch to see if this turns into anything more than a one-off chance.
Hierarchy remains: *Soto | Cisnero | Farmer.
* = closer-by-committee
September 6, 2020
Detroit Tigers – A day after replacing Gregory Soto in the 7th inning (final inning of the doubleheader) after Soto struggled in a save opportunity, Jose Cisnero got his own save chance. Unfortunately, he could not get the job done and ended up blowing the save and taking the loss. If Cisnero had converted, he would have moved to the head of the committee but for now, we will slide him up one spot. This is still very much of a committee and Buck Farmer could get another shot after Soto and Cisnero failed to convert on their most recent chance.
Updated hierarchy: *Soto | Cisnero| Farmer.
* = closer-by-committee
August 31, 2020
Detroit Tigers – That’s two saves in two days for Gregory Soto, with Buck Farmer getting the 8th in this one. One more and we’ll remove the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: *Soto | Farmer | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
August 30, 2020
Detroit Tigers – In game 2 of their doubleheader yesterday, the Tigers called on Gregory Soto to close out the game and he successfully navigated a couple of base runners to record his first career save. Jose Cisnero recorded the hold ahead of Soto. A converted save is good enough to move Soto to the top of the committee for now.
Updated hierarchy: * Soto | Farmer | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
August 27, 2020
Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez’s woeful season continued last night, as he gave up a tying home run in the 6th inning. He did walk out with the win after the Tigers put up 5 in the bottom half, but after the game Manager Ron Gardenhire said that he will be using a committee going forward. Buck Farmer got the first crack at finishing a game (although it was a non-save situation), but had a rough outing, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits before snagging a line drive to end the game. Farmer had been one of the best arms out of the Detroit bullpen this year, and we think he probably still has the inside edge at the head of the committee, but Jose Ciserno and Gregory Soto will also be in the mix. Detroit is enjoying a solid run of play, so this is a committee to keep an eye on.
Updated hierarchy: *Farmer | Soto | Cisnero.
* = closer-by-committee
August 24, 2020
Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez turned in a second consecutive brutal outing on Sunday, allowing 3 earned runs while only recording one out. With Jimenez’s ERA having jumped from an already-not-great 5.63 all the way up to 12.46 in the past four days, the Tigers may look to go in a different direction. Buck Farmer, Gregory Soto, and Jose Cisnero are all names to watch; Farmer has generally been thought of as the set-up guy here, but Soto has a much better strikeout rate and Cisnero got the save Sunday after Jimenez’s blow up (Farmer and Soto had both already pitched). We’ll keep an eye on this one to see if the Tigers make a change.
Hierarchy remains: Jimenez | Farmer | Soto.
August 21, 2020
Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez was roughed up Thursday, giving up four runs over one-third of an inning in a 9-0 loss. He was pitching for the first time since Sunday, so he was likely just getting some work to keep fresh. Meanwhile, Buck Farmer was activated from the IL and will return to his role of setting up Jimenez.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Farmer | Soto.
August 11, 2020
Detroit Tigers – Buck Farmer was placed on the IL yesterday, so look for Gregory Soto and Jose Cisnero to bridge the gap to Joe Jimenez, MLB’s current saves leader.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Soto | Cisnero.
August 8, 2020
Detroit Tigers — Joe Jimenez struck out the first two batters he faced with a three-run lead, but then let the next three score, blowing the save en route to an eventual 17-13 Tigers win. (One more for Pittsburgh, and it would have been 1948 all over again). Detroit’s bullpen isn’t quite so dominant anymore.
Hierarchy remains: Jimenez | Farmer | Soto.
August 1, 2020
Detroit Tigers — Gregory Soto is off to a great start this season and appears to have surpassed Jose Cisnero in the surprisingly dominant Tigers bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Farmer | Soto.
February 24, 2020
Detroit Tigers — Joe Jimenez struggled out of the gate last season but settled in pretty nicely to the closer’s role after Shane Greene was dealt mid-season. Jimenez will return to the closer’s role in 2020 and Buck Farmer and Jose Cisnero, who were working the 7th and 8th innings ahead of Jimenez to finish 2019, should round out the back end of the Tigers’ bullpen. Gregory Soto is a name to keep an eye on as he has impressed with his upper 90’s fastball so far in spring training.
Starting 2020 hierarchy: Jimenez | Farmer | Cisnero.
Holds candidates: Farmer, Cisnero, Gregory Soto.
September 7, 2019
Detroit Tigers — Jose Cisnero has three holds in the last week and pitched a scoreless ninth in a tie game last night.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Farmer | Cisnero.
August 9, 2019
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers have designated Trevor Rosenthal for assignment, leaving their theoretical holds to the anonymous Blaine Hardy, Jose Cisnero, and Nick Ramirez. The last-place Tigers have won just twice this month, so this is more of a bookkeeping issue.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Farmer | Ramirez.
August 1, 2019
Detroit Tigers — With Shane Greene headed to the NL, expect Joe Jimenez to have the inside track on Tiger saves, with Buck Farmer pushing him in a possible committee. Trevor Rosenthal got the seventh with a three-run lead on Wednesday and could keep getting chances to prove himself.
Updated hierarchy: *Jimenez | Farmer | Rosenthal.
* = closer-by-committee
July 31, 2019
Detroit Tigers – Shane Greene has been traded to the Braves. The Tigers will likely turn to a committee of Joe Jimenez and Buck Farmer to close out games, with Jimenez having the slight edge if he remains on the roster. Don’t forget that Trevor Rosenthal is also a Tiger and has only allowed two earned runs in six innings of work with Detroit. Stranger things have happened!
Updated hierarchy: *Jimenez | Farmer | Hardy.
* = closer-by-committee
July 31, 2019
Detroit Tigers – Shane Greene’s name has been part of trade rumors as the deadline approaches. His asking price is reportedly “far more reasonable” than that of some other closers, which means he could be leaving Detroit by tomorrow afternoon. If he does, Joe Jimenez and/or Buck Farmer will be the likeliest replacements. Of those two, Jimenez has been linked to the Rays and is more likely to be dealt today than Farmer is.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
July 16, 2019
Detroit Tigers – Despite a pretty bad stint in AAA, Trevor Rosenthal was still apparently good enough to warrant a call-up to the big leagues. He selected #19 for his jersey number, which perhaps was in honor of his ERA; after last night’s scoreless outing, he lowered it to 19.64 on the year.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
July 6, 2019
Detroit Tigers — Victor Alcantara is taking advantage of the All-Star break to have tooth surgery. He’ll go on the IL for a 10-day stint. Expect Joe Jimenez and Buck Farmer to get any save chances in his absence.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
May 4, 2019
Detroit Tigers — For the second straight game, Joe Jimenez pitched a perfect eighth inning ahead of Shane Greene; a rested Victor Alcantara did not pitch last night. Jimenez has been better over the past couple weeks, and seems to have returned to the primary setup role for the Tigers.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Alcantara.
April 22, 2019
Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez has struggled out of the gate this season, so bridging the gap to Shane Greene yesterday was a combination of Buck Farmer, Blaine Hardy, and Victor Alcantara. Jimenez’s last outing was his best of the season, but we’ll still drop him behind Alcantara for now, until he gets higher-leverage spots again.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Alcantara | Jimenez.
April 5, 2019
Detroit Tigers — Before the season, much of the talk was that it was only a matter of when, not if, Joe Jimenez would ascend to the closer’s role. It appears Shane Greene was hearing the chatter, too, as the righty now has an MLB-leading five saves after Thursday’s clean outing. He has yet to allow a run and has only given up two hits and zero walks (0.40 WHIP). Jimenez may grab hold of the closer gig at some point, but that would require the Tigers trading Greene or placing him on the IL. If Detroit is out of contention at the deadline, the former is likely.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
February 18, 2019
Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene will return this season and manager Ron Gardenhire has already said that Greene will be the closer. Greene was serviceable last year but he finished the year with an ERA over 5.00. Joe Jimenez had a good season last year and is younger and has more upside than Greene. Jimenez will start the year as the set-up man, but if Greene falters at all early in the season, Jimenez could take over.
Starting 2019 hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
Holds candidates: Jimenez, Farmer.
September 4, 2018
Detroit Tigers – Shane Greene gave up two home runs without recording an out, his second rough outing in as many days. But despite their current standing at 28 games under .500, the Tigers don’t seem to have any interest in giving anyone else a crack at the 9th inning, as Ron Gardenhire said after the game that Greene was their guy. Despite a 4.72 ERA, he should continue to get save chances here.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.
July 12, 2018
Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene will be activated on Thursday and should immediately resume his role as the Tigers’ closer. If Greene can prove that he’s healthy, he could wind up moving to a contender in need of bullpen help.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.
July 7, 2018
Detroit Tigers — Some good news for Shane Greene, as tests on his shoulder showed no structural damage. He’ll hope to resume throwing in a couple of days.
Hierarchy remains: Jimenez | Wilson | Coleman.
July 3, 2018
Detroit Tigers — As we told you, Joe Jimenez has indeed taken over closing duties for the Tigers after Shane Greene was placed on the disabled list. Manager Ron Gardenhire thinks he’ll learn something from the temporary promotion. Anyway, Jimenez got his first crack Monday night but blew the save. Some feel he got a tough call on a 2-2 pitch with the bases loaded, so perhaps some bad luck was involved. The Tigers won anyway, giving Blaine Hardy his first career save with a scoreless tenth inning after Buck Farmer started the inning by allowing a single and was pulled. Jimenez is definitely the man to own, here, but Alex Wilson, Louis Coleman, Farmer and perhaps Hardy could factor into the team’s late-inning plans as well.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Wilson | Coleman.
July 2, 2018
Detroit Tigers — Closer Shane Greene was placed on the disabled list Monday with a right shoulder strain. The injury had not been previously announced, so at the moment, a timetable for his return is not clear. Joe Jimenez should get the closing duties in the meantime. Alex Wilson is coming off a strained calf, but should handle the middle innings along with Louis Coleman and Buck Farmer.
Updated hierarchy: Jimenez | Wilson | Coleman.
June 18, 2018
Detroit Tigers – With Shane Greene getting the day off after throwing in four straight, Joe Jimenez got his second save of the year. VSW FTW!
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.
June 8, 2018
Detroit Tigers — Alex Wilson nailed down the final two outs of the seventh inning Thursday in his return from the disabled list. He should fit back into the team’s late-inning structure right away.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.
June 3, 2018
Detroit Tigers – As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Shane Greene got the day off on Saturday and Joe Jimenez got the call in his place. Jimenez retired the Blue Jays in order for his first career save while the fans shouted Goooooose.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
May 16, 2018
Detroit Tigers – Yesterday we listed Buck Farmer on our Vulture Save Watch. While he didn’t end up getting the save chance, he did play an important role in the Tigers’ 9-8 win. Ron Gardenhire made sure Farmer was warming up in the eighth as a ploy to make Cleveland think a righty was available, when in reality, the inning belong solely to lefty Daniel Stumpf. Chalk one up for the Vulture Decoy Watch!
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
May 9, 2018
Detroit Tigers – Alex Wilson is on the disabled list with a a left plantar fascia strain, an injury that has been described as “week-to-week.” Buck Farmer, who tossed a perfect 1.1 innings on Tuesday to earn his second hold in as many outings, has struck out seven and not allowed a run over his last five appearances.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Farmer.
May 2, 2018
Detroit Tigers – We highlighted Shane Greene’s struggles in yesterday’s update, but we’re balanced so we’ll highlight his strong outing today. After allowing three runs and taking the loss on Monday, Shane Greene bounced back with a 1-2-3 inning on Tuesday that included two strikeouts.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.
May 1, 2018
Detroit Tigers – Shane Greene took the loss after allowing three runs on Monday night, his third appearance in his last six in which he’s been scored upon. Righty Joe Jimenez, who started his season with 11 straight scoreless appearances before a hiccup last week, is the handcuff here for those looking to speculate.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.
April 22, 2018
Detroit Tigers – Warwick Saupold picked up his first career save on Saturday. Saupold recorded the last seven outs of a 12-4 Tigers win. Although Saupold has a 0.00 ERA so far this season, he isn’t quite ready to crack the Tigers’ hierarchy
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.
April 9, 2018
Detroit Tigers – With a clean 8th inning last night, 23-year-old Joe Jimenez has opened his season with a 6-appearance scoreless streak. He has been consistently used later in games than Alex Wilson, and is now the likely handcuff for Shane Greene.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Jimenez | Wilson.
April 6, 2018
Detroit Tigers – Joe Jimenez picked up the win yesterday after a fourth straight scoreless appearance. He doesn’t have any holds or strikeouts yet, but he’s only allowed one hit and just two walks in 3.1 IP. Jimenez may continue to see high-leverage opportunities if he continues to pitch well.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Wilson | Jimenez.
February 26, 2018
Detroit Tigers – Shane Greene finished last year as the closer and it’s his job to lose heading into spring training. Behind Greene, the Tigers have a lot of question marks. Alex Wilson should fill a role in the back end of the bullpen, but he is also fighting for a spot in the rotation this spring. Lefty Daniel Stumpf joins Greene and Wilson as established members of the bullpen, but Joe Jimenez is more exciting from a fantasy perspective. Jimenez has stellar numbers in Triple-A, and although he struggled in the majors last year, he is hoping his off-season work will pay off this year.
Starting 2018 hierarchy: Greene | Wilson | Stumpf.
Holds candidates: Wilson, Stumpf.
September 25, 2017
Detroit Tigers – After taking a 104-mph line drive to the leg on Saturday, Alex Wilson’s year is over. Look for Drew VerHagen and Daniel Stumpf to get any remaining holds this season in Detroit.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Stumpf | VerHagen.
September 9, 2017
Detroit Tigers — Daniel Stumpf pitched the last two outs of the seventh inning to snag his sixth hold and lower his ERA to a tidy 2.90. Meanwhile, Joe Jimenez saw his ERA balloon to 12.83 after giving up five runs in his last outing. Detroit seems happy with Shane Greene’s work as the closer, but it’s clear they don’t trust Jimenez to get the ball to him at this point.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Wilson | Stumpf.
August 26, 2017
Detroit Tigers – Of all the pitchers involved in Thursday’s melee, Alex Wilson took the hardest fall, picking up a 4 game suspension after admitting that he intentionally threw at Todd Frazier. Wilson threw a scoreless inning last night, and will appeal the suspension. Expect Joe Jimenez to get some higher leverage looks, and Daniel Stumpf may vulture a couple holds, while Wilson is out.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Wilson | Jimenez.
August 25, 2017
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers got into quite the brawl with the Yankees yesterday. Of note was the ejection of Tigers reliever Alex Wilson for drilling Todd Frazier in the eighth inning. He likely faces some sort of punishment, especially after saying he did it on purpose. Justin Verlander, who was seen arguing with teammate Victor Martinez during the game, summed up the whole day with a perfect tweet.
Hierarchy remains: Greene | Wilson | Jimenez.
August 15, 2017
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon, who has been the “closer of the future” for the Tigers for like 4 years now, was sent to AAA after getting blown up this weekend. Alex Wilson inherits his first in line spot, and Joe Jimenez could also nab a few extra holds as a result.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Wilson | Jimenez.
August 5, 2017
Detroit Tigers — With Shane Greene unavailable after pitching in three straight, it was Alex Wilson who faced the top of the order in the eighth before Bruce Rondon came on for his first save of the year. It was Rondon’s third straight scoreless appearance, although he benefited from a fortuitous bounce pass on a wild pitch. Rondon appears to be first in line for now, but he’s prone to disaster innings and could slip back quickly.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Rondon | A. Wilson.
August 2, 2017
Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene got the final four outs of the game to pick up his first save as the newly anointed Tigers closer. Bruce Rondon was called upon to get the final out of the seventh inning before Alex Wilson was got the ball in the eighth inning. Brad Ausmus said on Monday that he will “pitch anybody anywhere” to get the ball to Greene. Left-hander Daniel Stumpf faced one batter in the eighth and will be the top choice to face any lefties in the late innings, while recently recalled Joe Jimenez will also be in the mix.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | A. Wilson | Rondon.
July 31, 2017
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers shipped Justin Wilson to the Cubs on Sunday night, pending a medical review. Shane Greene should be the first choice for saves now in Detroit, with Bruce Rondon and Alex Wilson behind him.
Updated hierarchy: Greene | Rondon | A. Wilson.
July 29, 2017
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon took the loss last night after giving up three runs in one-third of an inning. This was his third straight multi-run appearance, inflating his ERA to 12.41. Rondon still sports elite stuff, but his struggles can’t be ignored. With Justin Wilson likely to leave town, Shane Greene may be most likely to take over the closer’s role.
Updated hierarchy: J. Wilson | Greene | Rondon.
July 22, 2017
Detroit Tigers — With a killer slider and a 100 MPH fastball, Bruce Rondon is making a strong case to take over the closer role in the likely event that Justin Wilson gets moved.
Hierarchy remains: J. Wilson | Rondon | Greene.
July 7, 2017
Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene and Bruce Rondon continued their recent strong performances in the seventh and eighth innings ahead of Justin Wilson. Struggling Alex Wilson hasn’t pitched since a low-leverage outing six days ago.
Updated hierarchy: J. Wilson | Rondon | Greene.
July 2, 2017
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of closer Justin Wilson in the Tigers’ victory yesterday. Since getting called back up, Rondon has a win and two holds in three scoreless innings. With Alex Wilson struggling, the Tigers appear ready to give Rondon yet another chance at the back-end of their bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: J. Wilson | Rondon | A. Wilson.
June 28, 2017
Detroit Tigers — Old friend and former “closer of the future” Bruce Rondon struck out two en route to an eighth-inning hold ahead of Justin Wilson on Tuesday. After showing up to spring training overweight, Rondon has done well to work his way back from AAA and it will be interesting to see if he actually makes the most of yet another chance in Detroit.
Hierarchy remains: J. Wilson | A. Wilson | Greene.
June 24, 2017
Detroit Tigers — K-Rod is no longer a Detroit Tiger. The active saves leader lost the closer role in May, ripped the coaching staff last week, and gave up a grand slam Thursday night. Bruce Rondon will replace him on the roster, so it’s not like things are going to get any less frustrating for Tigers fans.
Hierarchy remains: J. Wilson | A. Wilson | Greene.
June 16, 2017
Detroit Tigers – This week, manager Brad Ausmus declared he would try former closer Francisco Rodriguez in high-leverage situations again after he complained a bunch. Ausmus wasn’t lying, as it was 3-2 in the eighth inning when K-Rod came trotting out to the hill. He picked up another blown save (his sixth) after allowing a game-tying home run, leading to a smattering of boos and cursing from the Detroit crowd. Justin Wilson owners were pleased by that development, as the current closer picked up the win with a clean ninth after the Tigers walked off in the bottom half. As for K-Rod, it’s hard to believe he’ll already be in the dog house, but he can’t be trusted until he earns it back.
Hierarchy remains: J. Wilson | A. Wilson | Greene.
June 15, 2017
Detroit Tigers — We told you in Wednesday’s VSW that K-Rod was getting more high-leverage looks, and now Brad Ausmus has confirmed the shift — although the article also reports that the former closer still isn’t pleased with his role. Stay tuned.
Hierarchy remains: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Greene.
May 19, 2017
Detroit Tigers – As the Vulture Save Watch predicted, Alex Wilson was called to protect a one-run lead and delivered for his second save. Justin Wilson had pitched in two straight games.
Hierarchy remains: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Greene.
May 14, 2017
Detroit Tigers – Justin Wilson struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning on Saturday night. It was an impressive outing for Wilson, who recently took over as closer for the active saves leader Francisco Rodriguez.
Hierarchy remains: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Greene.
May 10, 2017
Detroit Tigers – Brad Ausmus announced before Tuesday’s game that Justin Wilson will take over the closer role for the Tigers going forward. Wilson, replacing a struggling Francisco Rodriguez, pitched a clean ninth after the Tigers offense erased a potential save situation in their half of the frame. Righty Alex Wilson should get the majority of 8th inning opportunities, which included last night’s victory. Shane Greene projects be the right-handed option ahead of the Wilsons and got two big outs Tuesday, while Blaine Hardy will mostly face lefties in the late innings.
Updated hierarchy: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Greene.
May 9, 2017
Detroit Tigers – Brad Ausmus announced before Tuesday’s game that Justin Wilson will take over the closer role for the Tigers going forward. Wilson replaces a struggling Francisco Rodriguez; look for righty Alex Wilson to get the majority of 8th inning opportunities.
Updated hierarchy: J.Wilson | A.Wilson | Hardy.
May 9, 2017
Detroit Tigers – In case you missed it yesterday, the Tigers may announce a closer change today. We will send an instant update if and when it happens; for now, pick up Justin Wilson if he’s available in your leagues.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | A.Wilson.
May 8, 2017
Detroit Tigers – After Francisco Rodriguez’s blown save on Sunday — his fourth blown save of the year — Brad Ausmus told reporters that he was going to have an internal discussion about the closer role before he announces any decisions. We don’t know anything more yet, but it feels like Ausmus may have already made up his mind about a closer change, and just wants to tell his clubhouse before he shares the news with media. Justin Wilson is the clear top choice to replace K-Rod; Alex Wilson is the darkhorse, and could get the surprise appointment if Ausmus wants to keep Justin Wilson in a more flexible role.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | A.Wilson.
April 21, 2017
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers’ top relief prospect, Joe Jimenez, is reportedly getting called up from Triple A Friday to take the roster spot of injured infielder Jose Iglesias. The 22-year-old has dominated hitters this year in the minors (10 Ks, 0 ER in 5 appearances) and may factor quickly into the Tigers’ late-inning plans. We’ll see how Brad Ausmus uses him.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | A. Wilson.
April 20, 2017
Detroit Tigers — The active leader in saves and goose eggs would have added another of each — and a Houdini! — Wednesday night, but second base sacked Jose Iglesias and the Rays walked off on a two-run throwing error. K-Rod should be looking over his shoulder at Justin Wilson, who has struck out 11 and allowed no hits over his first 7.1 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | A. Wilson.
April 13, 2017
Detroit Tigers — We were right that K-Rod would get Wednesday off, but it was Alex Wilson, not Shane Greene, who picked up a two-inning save in his absence. Alex joins Justin in the hierarchy — if only Brian could perfect that knuckleball and join them.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | A. Wilson.
April 12, 2017
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon was sent to Triple-A to work on getting in shape. While Rondon works on his conditioning, Shane Greene and lefty Kyle Ryan will work ahead of Justin Wilson and K-Rod. This isn’t the first time Rondon has needed a stint in the minors to get right, and we’ll just have to wait and see how long it takes for him to get back to Detroit this time.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | Greene.
April 9, 2017
Detroit Tigers — Francisco Rodriguez was given the day off on Saturday after the Tigers used him for more than one inning on Friday. Justin Wilson got the call in K-Rod’s absence, and responded with a perfect inning to record the save. Bruce Rondon struggled on Friday, and even though Wilson also pitched on Friday, the Tigers felt more comfortable bringing Wilson back for the save last night. Wilson appears to have moved ahead of Rondon for now, but this situation will likely be fluid for the early part of the season.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | Rondon.
February 27, 2017
Detroit Tigers — The Detroit Tigers’ bullpen is a big question mark heading into this season. Francisco Rodriguez, the league’s active saves leader, will once again close. Bruce Rondon ended up leading the team in WHIP after getting called up in June, and he will have the opportunity to prove he can do it for a full season in 2017. Justin Wilson was up and down in his first year in Detroit, but should see time in the seventh and eighth innings again to start this season. Keep an eye on Joe Jimenez, who is a young hard throwing closer in waiting.
Starting 2017 hierarchy: Rodriguez | Rondon | J. Wilson.
September 15, 2016
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon pitched a clean 8th inning ahead of Francisco Rodriguez on Wednesday, his second straight appearance where he’s nabbed an 8th inning hold. It also marked his 9th straight scoreless appearance (9 IP, 13 Ks, 4 BBs), and with his usage over the last few games, he’s the closest thing the Tigers have to a handcuff for K-Rod.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | Rondon | J.Wilson.
August 10, 2016
Detroit Tigers — Shane Greene hasn’t pitched since Saturday thanks to a posterior oblique injury. The Tigers have been trying to get through it without sending Greene to the DL. If Greene does miss an extended period of time, Alex Wilson may get more high-leverage looks. He has thrown 14 straight scoreless innings, including last night when he inherited a bases-loaded, no-out jam and retired all three hitters he faced to keep the Tigers in front.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.
July 28, 2016
Detroit Tigers — As we predicted, Justin Wilson earned a vulture save (his first ever), while K-Rod tended to personal business. Rodriguez is expected to be back for Friday’s game.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.
July 27, 2016
Detroit Tigers – With Justin Wilson getting some rest Tuesday after throwing 45 pitches over the last two games, Bruce Rondon and Shane Greene were each sharp in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. After the game, manager Brad Ausmus singled out Rondon, who reached triple digits with his fastball, saying that he needed to see more of that from the righty. Greene has been great of late as well, however, having allowed just one run in 8.2 innings during July. Based on recent usage, we’ll move Greene up in the hierarchy, though he and Rondon should both see chances for holds.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.
July 22, 2016
Detroit Tigers – As the Vulture Save Watch foresaw, closer Francisco Rodriguez had the night off Thursday, albeit because the game was called after the top of the 7th inning due to rain. We’ll still gloat about it. Shane Greene got the last two outs of the sixth inning, leaving the bases loaded in a 2-1 win. It was his first save since Opening Day, when he closed the door in the 11th after K-Rod allowed three game-tying runs in the ninth.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Rondon.
July 8, 2016
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon wasn’t available to pitch Thursday due to an illness. There was no word on whether he’ll be available Friday. Meantime, the Tigers surely needed him, as the bullpen yielded three runs in a loss to the Blue Jays.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Rondon.
June 24, 2016
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon entered the game in the 6th inning Thursday and promptly gave up a game-tying blast to Nelson Cruz. The Tigers led 4-3 and one of Seattle’s best hitters was at the plate, so manager Brad Ausmus appeared to trust the youngster in a tight spot. Rondon settled down after that, securing five outs, so hopefully Ausmus’ perceived confidence remains.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Rondon.
June 22, 2016
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon was once again sharp in his second appearance since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo. This time it was in the eighth inning of a tie game, and Rondon’s strong showing helped earn him a victory as the Tigers scored in the bottom half of the frame. Like Rondon, Shane Greene was held out of Monday’s 12-inning affair, which bodes well for Rondon moving past Greene for a more permanent late-inning role in the Tigers’ bullpen.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Rondon.
June 20, 2016
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers welcomed Bruce Rondon back to the club on Sunday, and the former closer was terrific in two innings of work during an extra-inning loss to the Royals, allowing no hits and striking out three. Rondon is 15 pounds lighter and has apparently worked hard this year for Triple-A Toledo after being dismissed from Detroit last year because of his “effort level.” If Rondon pitches like this consistently, he can be an important arm for Detroit in the late innings.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.
June 5, 2016
Detroit Tigers — Mark Lowe’s struggles continued yesterday as he gave up two more runs trying to finish off a five-run victory in the ninth. K-Rod ended up coming on to clean up Lowe’s mess and record a one-out save. Shane Greene was activated from the DL on Saturday and threw a perfect seventh inning with two strikeouts. Manager Brad Ausmus said that Greene would see time in the later innings, and we expect him to replace Lowe as the seventh inning guy ahead of Justin Wilson and K-Rod.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Greene.
June 2, 2016
Detroit Tigers – Bobby Parnell, who had been closing for Triple-A Toledo, was called up to Detroit on Wednesday. We’ll monitor Parnell’s usage, as we’re sure Mark Lowe and his 7.79 ERA will as well.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Lowe.
May 24, 2016
Detroit Tigers – Despite an ERA that was over 8 in mid-May, the Tigers keep giving Mark Lowe a chance to right his ship. Lowe, in turn, has responded with four scoreless outings over the past week, including clean 8th innings on Sunday and Monday which earned him his 7th and 8th holds of the season. For now, he’s returned to his role as the righthanded complement to Justin Wilson.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Lowe.
May 24, 2016
Detroit Tigers – Despite an ERA that was over 8 in mid-May, the Tigers keep giving Mark Lowe a chance to right his ship. Lowe, in turn, has responded with four scoreless outings over the past week, including clean 8th innings on Sunday and Monday which earned him his 7th and 8th holds of the season. For now, he’s returned to his role as the righthanded complement to Justin Wilson.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | Lowe.
May 16, 2016
Detroit Tigers – Alex Wilson got the 8th inning ahead of Francisco Rodriguez on Sunday, picking up his fourth hold of the season. He got a brief look at closer last year down the stretch, and could factor in again on nights when K-Rod needs a break.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J.Wilson | A.Wilson.
May 10, 2016
Detroit Tigers – Tigers skipper Brad Ausmus has refused to deploy his bullpen arms with any consistency, preferring to mix and match based on usage and match-ups. That said, right-hander Mark Lowe has struggled regardless of what inning he has pitched in lately, culminating in a loss last night which sent his ERA close to 8. Justin Wilson has pitched more effectively of late.
Updated hierarchy: Rodriguez | J. Wilson | Lowe.
April 28, 2016
Detroit Tigers — Francisco Rodriguez was activated from the family medical emergency list, and immediately took the 9th inning in a five-run game. He pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts, and should see the next save opportunity.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Lowe | J. Wilson.
April 24, 2016
Detroit Tigers — Francisco Rodriguez has been placed on the emergency family medical leave list. It’s unclear how long K-Rod will be out but Mark Lowe and Justin Wilson will see save changes while he out is gone.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Lowe | J. Wilson.
April 6, 2016
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers revamped their beleaguered bullpen in the offseason and it came to fruition on Tuesday as starter Shane Greene picked up his first career save. Just as the organization drew it up! Francisco Rodriguez was horrible in his Detroit debut, allowing three runs on four hits to set the stage for Greene in the 13th inning. No need to panic with 161 games to go, but it was not a pretty Opening Day for K-Rod, nor was it pleasant for Mark Lowe either, as he gave up a run in the eighth.
Hierarchy remains: Rodriguez | Lowe | J. Wilson.
February 29, 2016
Detroit Tigers — The Detroit Tigers have revamped their bullpen for 2016. They acquired veteran closer Francisco Rodriguez — who was a little late to spring training due to visa issues — as well as Mark Lowe and Justin Wilson. Alex Wilson was the team’s best relief pitcher last year and he will return in 2016, though likely in a middle relief role. Talented Bruce Rondon is also back, after being sent home early last season, and could factor into the late-inning plans if he can get his act together.
Starting 2016 hierarchy: Rodriguez | Lowe | J. Wilson.
Holds candidates: Lowe, Justin Wilson, Alex Wilson.
September 26, 2015
Detroit Tigers — With Bruce Rondon out of the picture, it looks like the Tigers are riding with Neftali Feliz, Proven Closer™, regardless of his 6.00+ ERA. Alex Wilson might get the next save chance to give Feliz a rest, but with the Tigers out of the playoffs, Brad Ausmus plans to go easy on him and Blaine Hardy.
Updated hierarchy: Feliz | Wilson | Hardy.
September 24, 2015
Detroit Tigers — One day after blowing both a save and a combined no-hitter, Brad Ausmus sent Neftali Feliz out to protect a three-run lead. This one went a bit better for the experienced closer, as he earned his second save with Detroit. While Alex Wilson will certainly get some of the opportunities going forward, this back-to-back work is enough to move Feliz to the head of the Detroit committee.
Updated hierarchy: *Feliz | Wilson | Hardy.
September 23, 2015
Detroit Tigers –After Bruce Rondon was sent home (and lunch was presumably cancelled) because of his “effort level,” Neftali Feliz got the first save chance on Tuesday and had a combined no-hitter on the line to boot. Feliz promptly blew the no-no and then blew the save before the Tigers won in the 10th. Both Feliz and Alex Wilson will handle save situations, with Wilson likely to get the next shot.
Updated hierarchy: *Wilson | Feliz | Hardy.
September 22, 2015
Detroit Tigers — There’s the door, Bruce Rondon. A calm Brad Ausmus informed the media that he and general manager Al Avila agreed that Rondon’s “effort level” warranted an early departure from the team. In Rondon’s absence, Alex Wilson and Neftali Feliz will handle save situations.
Updated hierarchy: *Wilson | Feliz | Hardy.
September 20, 2015
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers went to Bruce Rondon in the eighth inning last night to try and protect a one run lead, and he couldn’t do it. Rondon gave up a run for the fourth time in his last five appearances, and his ERA is up to 6.00 on the season. Manager Brad Ausmus said not to “read anything into” Rondon being used in the eighth. The Tigers aren’t going anywhere this season so they want to try and give Rondon every opportunity to show what he can do over the last part of the season. However, he is making it tough to keep sending him out there, even in a lost season, and Alex Wilson could see some saves in the future.
Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
September 19, 2015
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon got a second straight night off after appearing in three straight games (62 pitches), but Alex Wilson couldn’t lock down the save, giving up a game-tying home run immediately after relieving Justin Verlander.
Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
September 9, 2015
Detroit Tigers — So much for dropping that asterisk. Bruce Rondon struggled again, and this time was unable to protect a one-run lead and convert the save. After the 13-inning affair, manager Brad Ausmus admitted that Rondon has struggled over his last couple of outings, but didn’t want to “pontificate on the rest of the year.” The asterisk will stay off for now, but Rondon needs to turn it around in a hurry if he wants to keep seeing save chances.
Hierarchy remains: Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
September 8, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Even when he converts a save, Bruce Rondon does little to assure the Tigers that they’re making the right move in handing him the closer role. Yesterday, he was asked to get the final two outs of a 1-run game, and responded by walking the first hitter, allowing a flyout and single, walking another hitter, and then finally inducing a game-ending force play that was so tight that the Rays challenged the call at 2nd base, which would have meant a tie game if overturned. Still, Rondon did get the job done, and no one else has gotten a save chance in a while. We’ll remove his asterisk under the pretense that he’s still maybe the shakiest “full-time” closer in baseball right now.
Updated hierarchy: Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
September 2, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon hadn’t seen a save opportunity since Aug. 15, but he made the most of his chance on Tuesday, throwing a scoreless ninth to preserve a 6-5 win. It was his third save in four chances, and it came at a good time considering his last outing was a disaster during a game the Tigers were already losing. Despite Rondon’s recent struggles, it appears as if the closer’s job is still his for the time being.
Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
* = closer-by-committee
August 31, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Usually, your “closer” doesn’t pitch in the 8th inning of a game you’re losing by four runs. But that’s when the Tigers summoned Bruce Rondon yesterday, who responded by allowing 3 earned runs and getting yanked. Rondon’s FIP remains decent at 3.17, but his ERA is still more than double that mark, and you wonder how often the Tigers can keep using him in the 9th inning even with their season lost. Alex Wilson, meanwhile, didn’t help his own cause over the weekend, giving up two home runs on Saturday.
Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
* = closer-by-committee
August 16, 2015
Detroit Tigers — Blaine Hardy and Alex Wilson combined to pitch a scoreless 8th inning and it was Bruce Rondon again who got the call in the 9th. However, this time Rondon was unable to convert the save opportunity, as he blew the one run lead by giving up a leadoff home run. He did finish the inning strong by striking out the final two batters to preserve the tie. Neftali Feliz ended up recording the save after the Tigers took the lead in the 11th inning.
Hierarchy remains: *Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
* = closer-by-committee
August 15, 2015
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon has moved ahead of Alex Wilson in the Detroit closer committee, and should see the most save opportunities going forward, as the team tries to figure out if he can be the long-term solution. Manager Brad Ausmus added that lefthander Blaine Hardy will also see use in the eighth and ninth innings, based on matchups.
Updated hierarchy: *Rondon | Wilson | Hardy.
* = closer-by-committee
August 13, 2015
Detroit Tigers – With Detroit up 3, it was Bruce Rondon who got the call to close out the game. When he started to get in trouble, hitting a batter and then issuing a 5 pitch walk, Alex Wilson was seen frantically warming up. Rondon settled down and got the next two outs for his 2nd save. After the game, Brad Ausmus said that with an off day coming up he did not want to use Alex Wilson, who was available, but is still recovering from shoulder fatigue. However, Ausmus also said that with the way Rondon has been pitching recently, he will see more opportunities. We have liked Rondon as the closer ever since the Joakim Soria deal, and this might be the first signs that the Tigers agree, but with Ausmus still backing Wilson for the late innings, we won’t shift this committee around just yet.
Hierarchy remains: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee
August 9, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon struck out two batters in the 9th inning last night to protect a one run lead and get his first save of the season. Alex Wilson was unavailable due to right shoulder fatigue, and will be kept out of Sunday’s game as well. Manager Brad Ausmus said he would have gone with Wilson if he was available, but he left it open for the future. Wilson’s injury, as well as Rondon’s performance, will be worth monitoring to determine who ends up seeing the most save chances the rest of the season.
Hierarchy remains: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee.
August 6, 2015
Detroit Tigers – After Blaine Hardy got the first two outs in the 9th, it was Alex Wilson who was called on to pick up the final one. He gave up a single, but got a fly out to end it for his 2nd save. Our favorite for the long term job, Bruce Rondon, struck out 2 in a scoreless 8th inning, but with Wilson picking up another save, he is close to kicking the asterisk.
Hierarchy remains: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee.
August 3, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Alex Wilson’s grip on the closer role got a little tighter yesterday, as he pitched a clean 9th inning in a Tigers victory. It was a 5-run game, but his main competition, Bruce Rondon, was summoned to pitch the 8th, which gave the appearance that Wilson is ahead in the pecking order.
Hierarchy remains: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee
August 1, 2015
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon pitched the eighth inning on Friday in a road game, meaning that Alex Wilson was probably in line to get a second straight save chance if the Tigers had regained the lead.
Hierarchy remains: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee
July 31, 2015
Detroit Tigers — After closer Joakim Soria was traded to the Pirates Thursday, the Detroit bullpen was left in disarray. We originally made an educated guess that Bruce Rondon would get the first shot for the Tigers, based mostly on his advanced stats, dissected in our alert sent right after the trade, and the general hype surrounding him. Then, on Thursday, manager Brad Ausmus gave Alex Wilson the initial shot, and he recorded five outs (against the likes of Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Chris Davis) for his first big-league save. Wilson said after the game that it’s been his dream to close in the majors for a while now, so he wants it and the Tigers have a clear vacancy. As we posted last night, Ausmus was non-committal after the game, but did offer Wilson a lot of praise. We’ll move Wilson to the top of this very volatile committee for now; Al Alburquerque and Neftali Feliz are also lurking in the background, too.
Updated hierarchy: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee
July 30, 2015
Detroit Tigers — The first save chance of the post-Joakim Soria era in Detroit went to Alex Wilson, and the Chris Pratt lookalike delivered with five outs against the heart of the Oriole lineup. Only a week ago, Brad Ausmus was holding Wilson back from high-leverage work to save him for potential extra innings, but with his former closer heading to Pittsburgh, the manager tossed Wilson right into the fire. After the game, Wilson said “it wouldn’t be a bad thing” if he got the closer job, but we don’t think this situation is cut-and-dried just yet, and Brad Ausmus confirmed that with vague words about earning roles (although also praise for Wilson). If nothing else, Wilson might get tomorrow off, giving Bruce Rondon a shot at an audition. Still a committee, but Wilson has earned his spot at the top.
Updated hierarchy: *Wilson | Rondon | Alburquerque.
* = closer-by-committee
July 30, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Joakim Soria has reportedly been dealt to the Pirates, leaving a shaky Tigers bullpen in flux. If the Tigers believe in advanced stats, they’ll give the job to Bruce Rondon, who has a nearly unfathomable 8.25 ERA and 1.75 WHIP, but has been horribly unlucky, allowing an absurd .455 BABIP. His upside is obvious: he throws smoke and has 18 Ks in 12 innings so far, which is partly why his FIP is 2.66, which is about on par with Zack Greinke. If they’re scared off by his traditional stats, though, Al Alburquerque or Alex Wilson could get a look. Wilson is Rondon’s polar opposite — a low-strikeout control wizard whose ERA (1.84) is lower than his FIP (2.92) suggests it should be — while Alburquerque is somewhere in between, averaging a strikeout an inning with middle-of-the-road ratios elsewhere. Check back to see if the Tigers announce that they’ve given the job to someone specific. So far, GM Dave Dombrowski has said that he thinks Rondon could do the job, but that it will be Brad Ausmus’s decision.
Updated hierarchy: *Rondon | Alburquerque | Wilson.
* = closer-by-committee
July 22, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Neftali Feliz was tasked to protect a two-run lead in the 8th inning on Tuesday, and it didn’t go so well. Feliz ambled his way to a pair of outs before he threw a wild pitch and allowed a grand slam to blow the save. Joakim Soria didn’t warm up at any point in the 8th. Ausmus defended his decision to stick with Feliz, curious as it was, and we’re curious how soon he’ll go back to the former closer in a high-leverage spot.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.
July 12, 2015
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers signed Neftali Feliz after his release by Texas and immediately used him in the eighth inning of a four-run loss. Feliz delivered a scoreless inning and was throwing in the mid- to high-90s. Brad Ausmus said that Feliz, like the rest of Detroit’s non-Joakim Soria relievers, would not have any set role going forward, and that although he would try to ease Feliz into high-leverage work, he wouldn’t be afraid to trust him with it down the road.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.
July 11, 2015
Detroit Tigers – It was an ugly night for the Tigers’ bullpen on Friday. Bruce Rondon came on to get the last out of the 8th inning and then came back to try and close out a five run lead. He allowed three hits, while only getting one out, and the Tigers decided it was time to bring in their closer. Soria walked the first batter he faced to load the bases, and then hit the next batter to bring in a run. After a single drove in two more, Brian Dozier came up and hit a walk-off homer. As a result of Friday night’s debacle, Soria’s ERA jumped over a full run to 3.38 and Rondon’s ERA sits at 10.50. In other news, former Tigers’ setup man Joba Chamberlain was released on Friday and is now a free agent.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.
July 4, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Just nine days ago, Joba Chamberlain had an ERA under 2, but after it doubled thanks to a few three-run outings, the Tigers shockingly cut the former Yankee phenom, designating him (and Tom Gorzelanny) for assignment. Bruce Rondon and Al Alburquerque will slide up a few spots in the team’s late-innings hierarchy but, given their recent performance, both should be worried about newly promoted Jeff Ferrell, a converted starter who earned 15 saves between Erie and Toledo this year.
Updated hierarchy: Soria | Rondon | Alburquerque.
July 3, 2015
Detroit Tigers – What’s going on out in the Tigers bullpen on a nightly basis? Other than Joakim Soria, this team can’t seem to find any stability from its relief corps. The latest example of inconsistency was Bruce Rondon, who allowed four runs on four hits while recording just one out before getting yanked. Rondon’s outing was especially crushing, as Detroit had just scored three runs to get within one. One bad performance won’t shake our confidence in Rondon yet, but that 12.00 ERA sure doesn’t look pretty in the box score.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Rondon.
June 26, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon is back, and the timing couldn’t be any better for the Tigers. Rondon struck out the only two batters he faced to close the sixth inning. Bullpen mate Joba Chamberlain was not nearly as impressive, coughing up three runs to put the game out of reach. Chamberlain is still in the late-innings conversation, but it’s probably time for Rondon to enter it, too, as manager Brad Ausmus said he will not hesitate to use Rondon in high-leverage situations. Apologies to Al Alburquerque, of course.
Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Rondon.
June 5, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Rumor has it that the Tigers may activate Bruce Rondon as early as Friday. If and when that happens, he would slide immediately into Detroit’s late-inning plans, perhaps even usurping Al Alburquerque in the hierarchy.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
May 29, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon is slowly making his way back for the Tigers, tossing a scoreless inning in his most recent rehab appearance Tuesday night. The Tigers, though, want him fully pain-free before he returns to the big leagues. In the meantime, Tom Gorzellany allowed two hits, two walks and a grand slam against the Angels Thursday night, saddling him with a 1.56 WHIP and 5.06 ERA. Al Alburquerque came on to quiet things down with a scoreless eighth inning. Alburquerque hasn’t allowed a run since April 24 (12 appearances, 11 K), so for now we’ll slide him back to second in line, even if he’s only keeping the seat warm for Rondon.
Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
May 22, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon wasn’t terribly effective in his first rehab outing on Thursday, but the Tigers are just happy that he looked healthy. He still has at least three rehab outings ahead of him before he can return to the big club and buttress its mediocre middle-inning options.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Gorzelanny.
May 7, 2015
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers’ bullpen continued to struggle on Wednesday; this time it was the usually solid Joba Chamberlain that took the blown save and the loss, giving up four runs in the eighth inning. Bruce Rondon is now in Detroit, and while manager Brad Ausmus refused to call it a positive step, Detroit could use the young righty to step in and stabilize their relief situation once he is deemed fit.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Gorzelanny.
April 26, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Tom Gorzelanny picked up his first hold of the season yesterday, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings before closer Joakim Soria came on to pitch the 9th. With Al Alburquerque struggling, Gorzelanny could see more action on the later innings.
Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Gorzelanny.
April 25, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Al Alburquerque had his second putrid outing in three days, giving up two home runs in mop-up duty and running his ERA into double digits. He has now given up more home runs in his last three innings than in his first 80 as a major leaguer. Although his velocity is down, he says he feels fine. Bruce Rondon threw on Tuesday and Thursday, and his return can’t come soon enough for this beleaguered pen.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
April 24, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Former closer Joe Nathan, the active leader in saves and the second-oldest player in the AL, is out for the season with a torn UCL in his pitching elbow. Nathan suffered the injury on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday morning. Although Nathan will require a second Tommy John surgery, he insists that he will return to pitch another day. Joakim Soria, with 5 saves in 5 chances this season, should be secure in the closer role from this point forward. Ian Krol, meanwhile, got sent to the minors to work on his delivery, which will likely lead to more holds opportunities for Al Alburquerque.
Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
April 23, 2015
Detroit Tigers – The big league club got blown out, but the real story was with the Toledo Mud Hens. Joe Nathan was pulled from his rehab assignment after re-injuring his throwing arm. This is bad news for Nathan owners, but good news for Soria owners, as Soria seems locked in to the closer’s role for the time being.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Krol.
April 22, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan is eligible to return from the DL on Wednesday after he completes a rehab assignment in Toledo. If everything goes as planned, he could be ready as early as Friday, though Brad Ausmus was less sure of that timetable than Nathan.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Krol.
April 21, 2015
Detroit Tigers – In other injury news, Bruce Rondon is on the mend and has returned to throwing off a mound following being shut down with biceps tendonitis. He will return to the Tigers’ bullpen and could quickly become a strong holds option, pitching ahead of Joakim Soria until Old Man Joe Nathan hobbles back to the Hot Seat.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Krol
April 16, 2015
Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria picked up another save last night, but despite Soria’s hot start, Brad Ausmus said he would stick with Joe Nathan when he returns from the DL.
Hierarchy remains: Soria | Chamberlain | Krol.
April 8, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan is heading to the DL with an elbow flexor strain. Joakim Soria will close in his absence, though Nathan will get the job back when he returns, said Brad Ausmus. Ausmus mentioned Joba Chamberlain and Ian Krol as 8th-inning candidates.
Updated hierarchy: Soria | Chamberlain | Krol.
March 6, 2015
Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan struggled all year in 2014 and hopes to bounce back in 2015. He’ll start the year as the closer, but Joakim Soria will be right behind him if he slips up. The Tigers brought Joba Chamberlain back, and also signed lefty Tom Gorzelanny. Bruce Rondon is one of the most interesting members of the Tigers bullpen, a young flamethrower coming off Tommy John surgery.
Starting 2015 hierarchy: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
Holds candidates: Soria, Gorzellany.
September 26, 2014
Detroit Tigers – If you’re in a deep league with the holds category coming down to the wire, you might want to snag Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez recently returned from the disabled list, and Brad Ausmus has vowed that he could be used at any point in the game.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
September 17, 2014
Detroit Tigers — After Glen Perkins handed the Tigers a win in the top half of the ninth, Joe Nathan’s poor command and Ezequiel Carrera’s defensive mistake combined to give it right back. After the game, Brad Ausmus confirmed that Nathan remains the closer, 5.10 ERA and all, but Nathan remains on the Hot Seat, where he’s made his home for almost two months now. Although Tigers fans are pining for Joakim Soria, at least this way Nathan is guaranteed more mean tweets to read on camera.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
September 16, 2014
Detroit Tigers — With Joe Nathan having thrown 42 pitches over the last two games, Joakim Soria picked up the save after Nathan got a night off. It was Soria’s first save with the Tigers and his first since July 21. Joba Chamberlain meanwhile got tagged for two runs after walking the only two guys he faced in the eighth inning. When Nathan is unavailable, expect Soria to be the first one called upon in the ninth.
Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
September 11, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria returned from the DL on Wednesday, giving up one run in the ninth with the team behind. If Joe Nathan’s arm troubles worsen, Brad Ausmus could turn to the experienced Soria.
Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Chamberlain | Soria.
September 9, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria threw a simulated game on Monday and could be available to pitch as early as Wednesday.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
August 27, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joakim Soria is still working his way back from an oblique injury and could return sometime next week. In the meantime, the Tigers put in a revocable waiver claim on Astros closer Chad Qualls, although it’s unlikely to amount to anything. If you were wondering about Jim Johnson, stop. Even after a clean 1.2-inning outing on Sunday, his WHIP remains over 2.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
August 24, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joe Nathan gave up another run in a save situation but was still able to pick up his 27th save of the season. Nathan has converted his last three save chances, but he has also given up a run in each of those appearances. Joakim Soria is eligible to come off the DL tomorrow and his return will give the Tigers another option if Nathan continues to struggle.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
August 20, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Almost a week after Joe Nathan made an obscene gesture at Detroit fans, he struggled again in a save situation, giving up a run on two hits and a walk. Nathan’s seat remains boiling lava hot.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
August 17, 2014
Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan gave up another run last night but picked up his 25th save of the season. Nathan’s ERA is over 5.00 but that seems great compared to his new bullpen mate. The Tigers have called up Jim Johnson, and his 7.14 ERA. If Johnson can regain the form that saw him record 50 saves last season, he could factor into the late inning plans for the Tigers, but for now he is likely just bullpen depth.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
August 11, 2014
Detroit Tigers – Joakim Soria’s injury was indeed serious, and on Sunday, the Tigers placed him on the disabled list. This likely gives a slightly longer leash to the embattled Joe Nathan; Joba Chamberlain is now the handcuff in Detroit.
Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
August 10, 2014
Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan blew his sixth save of the season yesterday. He was only able to record one out and was pulled with the bases loaded. Joakim Soria came on and worked out of the bases loaded jam to keep the game tied. Soria tried to come back out for the tenth inning but was removed with a strain in his left side. For what seems like the 20th time this season, manager Brad Ausmus said after the game that Joe Nathan is still his closer. Nathan has been better recently and if Soria is going to miss some time, he could have a longer leash. However, the Tigers are in a tight race and if Nathan has a few more outings like last night, Ausmus will have to think about Soria.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
July 25, 2014
Detroit Tigers – With Joakim Soria looking on from the bullpen, Joe Nathan on Thursday pitched like a man who knew that even a single slip-up could cost him his job. Nathan had his most dominant appearance of the season, needing only 12 pitches to strike out the side. It’s possible that he’s still just one blown save from losing the job, but Nathan has likely created a tiny bit of breathing room for himself.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
July 23, 2014
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers have acquired Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers. Joe Nathan will hang onto his job for now, but his Hot Seat is glowing white with his former set-up guy looming.
Updated hierarchy: Nathan | Soria | Chamberlain.
July 20, 2014
Detroit Tigers – Joe Nathan’s first appearance out of the break wasn’t a pretty one, as he allowed 3 earned runs and took the loss. Nathan’s ratios have improved considerably since he adjusted his arm slot in mid-June — he has 16 Ks against just 3 BBs in his past 10 innings — but when hitters make contact, they’re still hitting the ball pretty hard. He continues to get a vote of confidence from Brad Ausmus, but with his ERA now at 6.23, he’s back on our Hot Seat.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
Joe Nathan to Hot Seat.
July 15, 2014
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers lead the AL Central by 6.5 games at the break and are in desperate need of bullpen help. They have been linked to Joaquin Benoit and Joakim Soria, among others, which means Joe Nathan is due for some competition for saves. TRADE DEADLINE SELL: Joe Nathan
June 22, 2014
Detroit Tigers – Phil Coke recorded the save in extra innings last night. Joe Nathan blew the save in the 9th but he has been pitching better recently, as he has 7 strikeouts in his last 3 innings.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
June 20, 2014
Detroit Tigers – Before Thursday’s game, Joe Nathan adjusted his arm slot, and proceeded to strike out all three hitters he faced. Might that be all it takes for the once-dominant closer to return to his old self?
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
June 15, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Ian Krol recorded a 4 out save yesterday. It wasn’t a typical save opportunity since the Tigers were still up 5 when Krol entered the game. Joe Nathan should be available on Sunday so it will be interesting to see if Brad Ausmus will go to him if there is a save opportunity.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
June 14, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joe Nathan pitched for the first time since last Saturday, and, unfortunately for the Tigers, the rest didn’t seem to help. The inning started off with an error by shortstop Eugenio Suarez to let the leadoff hitter reach base. After that it wasn’t pretty for Nathan. He threw a wild pitch, hit a batter, and walked two hitters, including one with the bases loaded, before being pulled. Nathan was not happy about being pulled (as you can see if you can read lips in this GIF). Manager Brad Ausmus continues to say that they need Nathan to pitch well, but with the Tigers lead shrinking in the AL Central, they might not be able to afford to keep sending Nathan out there in the 9th.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
June 8, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joe Nathan continues to struggle as he gave up two runs last night in a non-save opportunity. After the game manager Brad Ausmus reiterated that they need Nathan to be their closer. However, Joba Chamberlain has not given up a run in his past 12 appearances and it’s possible that the Tigers give Nathan a break from closing to figure things out.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
June 4, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Hometown hero RoboCop threw out Tuesday’s first pitch; even his bounced eephus looked good up against the offerings of closer Joe Nathan, who yielded four runs in one-third of an inning to raise his ERA to 6.86. Nathan’s reduced velocity and deteriorating command has put Brad Ausmus in a difficult position: stick with his $10 million man, who reports feeling “damn good,” or give Joba Chamberlain and his 10-game scoreless streak a shot. After last night’s game, Ausmus made no promises, saying only that he wouldn’t discuss the issue publicly without talking to Nathan first. Joba is the heir apparent, but if RoboCop is still available in your league, do yourself a favor and buy that for a dollar.
Joe Nathan to Hot Seat.
May 31, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joe Nathan got the night off Friday and the Tigers went to Joba Chamberlain, who converted the save. Manager Brad Ausmus confirmed before the game that Chamberlain would be the closer on nights when Nathan is unavailable. Nathan has struggled recently and is probably one more bad outing from the Hot Seat. Chamberlain showed last night he might be able to handle the job.
Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
May 3, 2014
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers have signed former All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan. He has been placed on the DL and is expected back in June. Hierarchy remains: Nathan | Chamberlain | Alburquerque.
April 23, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joba Chamberlain picked up a one-out save on Tuesday night after Phil Coke gave up three runs in the ninth. No hierarchy change.
April 20, 2014
Detroit Tigers – After a rough start the season, Joba Chamberlain has now gone five straight appearances without allowing a run. He has a 11/1 K/BB ratio and has been entrusted with the set-up role in his last two outings, including yesterday, when he earned an 8th inning hold ahead of Joe Nathan. Hierarchy change: Joba Chamberlain to Set-up, Al Alburquerque to 2nd in line.
April 10, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Joe Nathan blamed his early-season struggles on a “dead arm,” then downplayed its significance, comparing it to “knowing there’s second base on the field.” Somebody tell Fred Merkle. Nathan followed up the controversy by blowing a three-run lead for his second blown save in three chances, but he told reporters that the ball felt better coming out of his hand. No hierarchy change.
March 23, 2014
Detroit Tigers — Bruce Rondon will have Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2014 season. Al Alburquerque and Joba Chamberlain should see time in the 7th and 8th innings ahead of closer Joe Nathan Hierarchy change: Al Alburquerque to Set-Up, Joba Chamberlain to 2nd in line.
March 13, 2014
Detroit Tigers — 39-year-old Joe Nathan was fantastic last year, and he’ll close for a better team in 2014. Ranked #7 in our preseason closer rankings.
March 9, 2014
Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit, who led the Tigers in saves in 2014, is gone but they brought in a pretty good replacement: Joe Nathan. Nathan is coming off an incredible year in Texas and will take over as closer for the Tigers. If anything happens to the 39 year-old Nathan, young flamethrowers Bruce Rondon and Al Alburquerque could step in. Starting 2014 hierarchy: Closer – Joe Nathan, Set-up – Bruce Rondon, 2nd in line – Al Alburquerque.
September 18, 2013
Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, Joaquin Benoit was unavailable — but Carter Capps’s ineffectiveness for Seattle robbed Jose Veras of his vulture save opportunity. No hierarchy change.
September 3, 2013
Detroit Tigers — As predicted in Monday morning’s Vulture Save Watch, it was Jose Veras who earned the save by finishing off a shutout of Boston. No hierarchy change.
August 31, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon picked up his first career save in a rain shortened game on Friday night as he got the last out of the 7th inning with the Tigers up 3. He also threw his first warm up pitch over the head of the catcher and hit the backstop so it was a pretty exciting night for him. No hierarchy change.
August 22, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Jose Veras got the last out of the 8th inning in a three-run game on Wednesday, then stayed on for the 9th after the Tigers put the game out of reach. He picked up his 20th save of the season in the process, but is not a threat to Joaquin Benoit. No hierarchy change.
July 30, 2013
Detroit Tigers — The Tigers acquired Jose Veras from Houston, and are likely to use him and Drew Smyly interchangeably in the seventh and eighth innings, based on how the matchups fall. Veras’s attractive contract terms also make him the new favorite to close for Detroit in 2014. Hierarchy change: Jose Veras to Set-Up, Drew Smyly to 2nd in line.
July 22, 2013
Detroit Tigers — Jim Leyland might be bluffing, but he sounds like a man who’s satisfied with his bullpen. Joaquin Benoit has converted all nine of his save opportunities, and Bruce Rondon is on a hot streak as well, retiring 11 straight batters over three scoreless outings. No hierarchy change.
July 17, 2013
Detroit Tigers — Detroit is likely to trade for one or two relief pitchers; although it’s not yet clear whether they will replace Joaquin Benoit with a “proven closer” or simply reload with middle relief reinforcements, we think Benoit’s days as the closer in Comerica are numbered. TRADE DEADLINE BUY/SELL: SELL+ Joaquin Benoit.
July 4, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Bruce Rondon got the last two outs of the seventh inning last night before Smyly and Benoit pitched the 8th and 9th. Rondon’s number in the minors this season were incredible and he looks to be the closer of the future for the Tigers. Hierarchy change: Bruce Rondon to 2nd in line, replacing Al Alburquerque.
June 21, 2013
Detroit Tigers — Jose Valverde has been designated for assignment and Joaquin Benoit will close when he is available. Al Alburquerque was brought back up from Triple-A Toledo and could work his way into the discussion for the 9th inning if he can keep his walks down. Hierarchy change: Joaquin Benoit to Closer, Drew Smyly to Set-up, Al Alburquerque to 2nd in line.
June 20, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde hadn’t pitched in several days, so he got some work on Wednesday in a game the Tigers were losing. The results weren’t pretty, as Valverde surrendered four runs. Jim Leyland didn’t completely throw him under the bus after the game, saying that Valverde doesn’t thrive in non-save situations. But with Joaquin Benoit and Drew Smyly picking up the last two saves for the Tigers, and with Valverde approaching several performance bonuses, he remains on the hottest of Hot Seats. No hierarchy change.
June 18, 2013
Detroit Tigers — Drew Smyly retired all nine men he faced last night, earning an impressive three-inning save that both inserts him into the Tigers’ closer debate and illustrates why he’s unlikely to be seriously considered. After the game, Jim Leyland reiterated that he will use a “mix and match” approach to future save opportunities, which could involve everyone but starter Rick Porcello. No hierarchy change.
June 17, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit got the last out of the 8th inning on Sunday, then stayed on for the 9th to earn his fourth save of the year. After the game, Jim Leyland said that Benoit “will be an option,” though he stopped well short of naming Benoit the new closer, saying Jose Valverde would still get save chances. It’s possible that Benoit, who can be slow to bounce back and rarely pitches three straight days, will get save opps when fresh, and Valverde will get them otherwise. Either way, he’s definitely worth adding, especially until Leyland offers some clarity on the situation. No hierarchy change.
June 13, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde blew another save last night, allowing a game-tying home run on an 0-2 pitch with 2 out in the 9th. His ERA has climbed from 0.75 to 4.15 over the past two weeks, and he’s 3 for 5 in save opportunities in that span. Meanwhile, set-up man Joaquin Benoit continues to be excellent (1.93 ERA). Further up in the Detroit bullpen, Drew Smyly’s role has been hard to pin down. He’s ostensibly the long man — four of his last eight appearances have been for two innings or longer — but he’s also now getting more late-inning work, pitching the 8th inning last night and staying on to face one hitter in the 9th before giving way to Valverde. Phil Coke, meanwhile, took another loss last night and has an ERA more than double Smyly’s. Coke’s experience keeps him in the conversation for a vulture save on any night Valverde is unavailable, but over the past few days, Smyly has slid ahead of him. Hierarchy change: Drew Smyly to 2nd in line, replacing Phil Coke. Jose Valverde to Hot Seat.
June 10, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit picked up his 3rd save of the season yesterday afternoon. As noted in yesterday’s Vulture Save Watch, Jose Valverde had pitched in three straight. No hierarchy change.
June 9, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Phil Coke has been better as of late. This isn’t saying much, given that his ERA has been below 5.00 at exactly one point since opening day. However, he’s strung together five straight scoreless appearances, including a nice outing on Saturday where he finished off the 7th and then pitched the 8th ahead of Jose Valverde. Although Drew Smyly is having a much better season, Coke’s late-inning experience and recent stretch of respectability makes him the go-to lefty again in the Detroit bullpen. Hierarchy change: Phil Coke to 2nd in line, replacing Drew Smyly.
May 17, 2013
Detroit Tigers – After taking the loss on Wednesday, Al Alburquerque was sent to the minors to work on his control. With 26 Ks in 14.1 innings, Alburquerque has electric stuff, but he’d walked 13 batters and thrown six wild pitches, good to lead the majors (which is hard to do as a reliever). Drew Smyly has a 1.88 ERA on the season and might see more holds in Alburquerque’s absence. Hierarchy change: Drew Smyly to 2nd in line, replacing Al Alburquerque.
April 30, 2013
Detroit Tigers – After lefty Drew Smyly retired two lefties to start the ninth, Joaquin Benoit came on to face a righty, collecting the save. Jose Valverde had pitched in two straight games and was unavailable. No hierarchy change.
April 29, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Al Alburquerque struck out three more hitters on Sunday, and now has 21 Ks in just 11.2 innings to go along with a 1.54 ERA. It wasn’t a save/hold situation, as the Tigers were up five, but they still used Jose Valverde in the 9th inning, which by extension makes Alburquerque’s 8th inning appearance somewhat more meaningful. He’s now likely ahead of Phil Coke in the Detroit bullpen hierarchy; the veteran lefty has seen his ERA jump to 8.31 after a bad outing earlier this week. Hierarchy change: Al Albuerquerque to 2nd in line, replacing Phil Coke.
April 24, 2013
Detroit Tigers – After a short stint in the minors, Jose Valverde has been called up to the big leagues and will close starting today. Joaquin Benoit will return to his familiar 8th inning role. Three innings of class-A ball might have been enough to wow Jim Leyland, but in our book, Valverde starts out on the Hot Seat. Hierarchy change: Jose Valverde to Closer, Joaquin Benoit to Set-up, Phil Coke to 2nd in line.
April 18, 2013
Detroit Tigers – About a week ago, Jim Leyland said Joaquin Benoit would be his closer in most situations, and like all things Leyland, we thought we’d believe it when we saw it. Early this morning, we finally saw it, as the Tigers went to the veteran righty after finally inching ahead of the Mariners in the 14th inning. Benoit allowed two hits but picked up his first save of the year, and likely will lead the Detroit save chase for the foreseeable future. Hierarchy change: Joaquin Benoit to Closer, Phil Coke to Set-up.
April 13, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Jim Leyland said earlier this week that Joaquin Benoit would be his 9th inning man in most situations, though added a few caveats, namely that Benoit needed to stay fresh to be effective, so would only sometimes pitch on back-to-back days and definitely could never go three in a row. Like with all things related to Leyland and the Detroit closer situation, we figured we’d believe it when we saw it. However, last night in an extra inning game on the road, Benoit was warming for a potential save opportunity late in the game, and is now worth stashing, especially if you have Phil Coke and want to monopolize Tigers saves. If Benoit gets the next save opp, he’ll likely pass Coke as the Detroit reliever you most want to own, if you only have room for one. No hierarchy change.
April 6, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Jim Leyland is just messing with us now, leaving long man Drew Smyly in for a four-inning save, as the Tigers slowly pulled away from the Yankees. No hierarchy change.
April 5, 2013
Detroit Tigers – In another threat to the Tigers’ fragile bullpen-by-committee setup, the team signed freshly shaven free agent Jose Valverde to a minor-league contract on Thursday. He’ll start out in extended spring training, then travel to Triple-A Toledo, and can opt out of the deal if he’s not in the majors by May 5. No hierarchy change.
April 3, 2013
Detroit Tigers – We’re two games into the season, and Phil Coke has gotten both save opportunities for the Tigers. He blew the save, retiring the first man before allowing two hits. Additionally, the batters he faced were two lefties and a switch hitter, so Jim Leyland could still very easily be playing matchups, and it could just have fallen on Coke on the first two games of the season. But if you’re only going to own one Tigers reliever, he’s the guy; Joaquin Benoit and Al Alburquerque are also worth stashing, if you have the room. Hierarchy change: Phil Coke to Closer, Joaquin Benoit to Set-up.
April 2, 2013
Detroit Tigers – The first save of the Detroit season went to Phil Coke, who retired the final two batters of the game. Joaquin Benoit had started the 8th and 9th innings, both of which were led off by righties, and Coke came on to face a lefty in the 9th. Al Alburquerque pitched the 7th. After the game, Jim Leyland said: “Today, it was Alburquerque, Benoit and Coke, and the next game, it might be Darin Downs, Villarreal and Dotel. That’s just the way it’s going to be. It’s nothing different from what we’ve been talking about all along.” Though Leyland’s comment suggests there is still no single reliever who will be getting the bulk of the saves in Detroit, the three relievers who pitched on Opening Day are still the three we like best. No hierarchy change.
April 1, 2013
Detroit Tigers – Joaquin Benoit, our listed “closer” is not actually the team’s stopper, as Jim Leyland has indicated that any member of the bullpen could be the man to get the final outs. Based on the volatility of the bullpen, however, it is safe to say that a few bad outings from Benoit (or any of the team’s other relievers) will remove him from the discussion. Joaquin Benoit to Hot Seat.
March 28, 2013
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers have sent would-be closer Bruce Rondon to the minors after a disastrous outing on Wednesday. The Detroit Free Press believes the Tigers will go with a closer-by-committee that includes Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke, Al Alburquerque and Octavio Dotel. Of these four, Dotel has the most experience, Alburquerque the most potential, Benoit was the most reliable man last year, and Coke got the most opportunities down the stretch. Best guess is that Coke and Benoit will split opportunities for the time being. Hierarchy change: Joaquin Benoit to Closer, Phil Coke to Set-up, Al Alburquerque to 2nd in line.
March 20, 2013
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers have still not declared a closer, though Bruce Rondon remains the favorite. Others who could have an opportunity to close include Joaquin Benoit, Phil Coke, or Al Albuquerque, but each carries a question mark. Jim Leyland said earlier this spring that he wasn’t sure that Benoit had the ability to bounce back in the way the position requires. Coke, who picked up a handful of saves late last season, remains a possibility, but is the only lefty in the back end of the bullpen and may be better suited as a match-up guy. Albuquerque has had trouble staying healthy. Rondon, meanwhile, has pitched better as of late, and probably has a 50/50 shot of being named the full-time closer at this point. No hierarchy change.
March 7, 2013
Detroit Tigers – A decision has not yet been made on Bruce Rondon’s role this season, though his spring struggles have led to rampant speculation that the Tigers will trade for a closer. For now, Rondon is still the best candidate to enter the season as the stopper, but a few good spring outings would certainly put everyone at ease. No hierarchy change.
February 24, 2013
Detroit Tigers – With Jose Valverde’s departure, the early favorite to win the closer job is rookie fireballer Bruce Rondon. But if Rondon struggles this spring, veterans Phil Coke or Joaquin Benoit could get a shot at finishing games. Starting 2013 hierarchy: Closer- Bruce Rondon, Set-up- Joaquin Benoit, 2nd in line- Phil Coke.
September 21, 2012
Detroit Tigers – Al Alburquerque was extraordinary for the Tigers last season, but a stress fracture in his throwing elbow required offseason surgery, sidelining him for much of this year. In the four outings since his recall on September 2, Alburquerque has allowed only one hit against nine strikeouts; that includes a sparkling 2.1 innings yesterday against Oakland. His return will ease any Tiger concern about Octavio Dotel’s recent struggles. Hierarchy change: Al Alburquerque to 2nd in line, replacing Octavio Dotel.
August 10, 2012
Detroit Tigers – Octavio Dotel got the last two outs of the 7th inning on Thursday two days after he earned an 8th inning hold. The veteran has been used in higher-leverage spots than Phil Coke in recent weeks. Hierarchy change: Octavio Dotel to 2nd in line, replacing Phil Coke.
July 23, 2012
Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde experienced some back tightness before Sunday’s game, so he was held out of action, but manager Jim Leyland said the injury was not serious. Joaquin Benoit got the save in his place. No hierarchy change.
July 13, 2012
Detroit Tigers – The Tigers are looking to buy, but like the Indians, they seem to be in the market for a bat, or possibly a starting pitcher. Jose Valverde and Joaquin Benoit have been solid at the back-end of the Tigers’ pen, and their hierarchy is unlikely to be affected by any deals. TRADE DEADLINE BUY/SELL: None.
June 20, 2012
Detroit Tigers – While warming up in the bullpen on Tuesday, Jose Valverde hurt his wrist and was held out of the game; Phil Coke entered in his place and picked up his first save of the season. An initial exam by the Tigers medical staff suggested that the injury was minor, but Valverde still went for an MRI after the game. The Tigers will likely announce the results before today’s game. Valverde himself said he didn’t think that the injury was serious, but if he does need a DL stint, Joaquin Benoit will see the bulk of the save opportunities. No hierarchy change.
May 21, 2012
Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde was still day-to-day with a sore back and Joaquin Benoit recorded a shaky save in his place on Sunday. Valverde is expected back for the Tigers on Tuesday. No hierarchy change.
May 16, 2012
Detroit Tigers – Jose Valverde pitched to five hitters in the 9th inning on Tuesday before exiting with a sore back. Octavio Dotel got a one-out save in his place, and Valverde said after the game that he was day-to-day. No hierarchy change.
April 13, 2012
Detroit Tigers- Phil Coke was the last of several relievers used by the Tigers to bridge the gap to 8th inning man Joaquin Benoit yesterday, and he’s been used 3 times in the 8th inning in pressure spots, pitching to both righties and lefties. Hierarchy change: Phil Coke to 2nd in line, replacing Octavio Dotel.
March 28, 2012
Detroit Tigers- The Tigers enter 2012 with a stable bullpen hierarchy. Newcomer Octavio Dotel will be used in a 7th inning role. Starting 2012 hierarchy: Closer- Jose Valverde, Set-up- Joaquin Benoit, 2nd in line- Octavio Dotel.
Aug. 24, 2011
Detroit Tigers- Since Jose Valverde had pitched in the last few games, Phil Coke got a rare opportunity for a save. He got the save, stranding two runners on base. Valverde’s role will obviously not be affected, but keep an eye out for Coke to be in the mix more often. No hierarchy change.
