After losing the first two games of their series against the New York Mets, the Detroit Tigers managed to win the third game, but they were plagued by worrying news about reliever Kyle Finnegan, who seemed to hurt himself while warming up in the bullpen during the game. After throwing a pitch, Finnegan knelt down and seemed to be in discomfort.
Although there has been no official announcement on Finnegan’s injury status, preliminary sources suggest that the pain is in his right groin.
In his 12 games with the Tigers, Finnegan—who was acquired from Washington around the trade deadline—has excelled. He has only given up three hits and three walks in 14.1 innings, has 19 strikeouts, and has yet to give up a run.
The Tigers have been among the top MLB teams all season long and have almost secured the AL Central. Any long-term injury might be a major problem for Detroit as they approach the playoffs, as Finnegan has been a major contributor to their back-end success in the past month.
Change of Scenery Has Helped Finnegan
With pitched as the Nationals’ closer for the most of his six-season stay in Washington, D.C., and with a lifetime ERA of 3.51, Finnegan’s move to Detroit appears to have revitalized a mainly average but productive career. He had below-average results with the Nationals this season, going 1-4 and having an ERA of 4.38, which was on pace to be the worst of his career.
Finnegan is a different pitcher as a Tiger than he was during his career. It might be due to the pitching instructors in Detroit, the change in the competition, or just being a member of a successful baseball club after years in the bottom with Washington.
Where to Turn in Bullpen if Finnegan Misses Time
The remainder of Detroit’s bullpen will have to fill in for closer Will Vest, who has been excellent this season, since they already lack Paul Sewald. In place of Finnegan, who has been a set-up man since he was recruited, Tommy Kahnle and Tyler Holton will need to improve their late-inning performance.
Despite their pitching, which has been inconsistent at best aside from AL Cy Young frontrunner Tarik Skubal, the Tigers have been a dominant club throughout the season. Even though their outstanding offensive has carried them thus far, the Tigers’ poor and injured pitching staff does not auger well for a lengthy postseason run. They rank about tenth in MLB pitching statistics in the majority of significant categories (ERA, strikeouts, and batting average against).
