Despite the Detroit Tigers bouncing back to win the third game of their series against the New York Mets after losing the first two, the team received worrisome news regarding reliever Kyle Finnegan. The right-hander appeared to injure himself while warming up in the bullpen during the game, throwing a pitch before crouching in visible discomfort.
Early reports suggest the pain is in Finnegan’s right groin, though the team has yet to release an official update on the severity of the injury or his status moving forward.
Since being acquired from Washington at the trade deadline, Finnegan has been exceptional in his 12 appearances with Detroit. Over 14.1 innings, he has yet to allow a run, striking out 19 batters while giving up only three hits and three walks.
The Tigers have all but secured the AL Central title and have been one of the MLB’s top teams throughout the season. Finnegan has played a key role in the bullpen’s recent dominance, making any potential long-term absence a significant concern as Detroit heads into the postseason.
Change of Scenery Has Helped Finnegan
With a career ERA of 3.51 and having served as the Nationals’ closer for much of his six seasons in D.C., Kyle Finnegan’s move to Detroit appears to have revitalized a career that, while productive at times, had often been unremarkable. This season with Washington, he struggled, posting a 1-4 record with a 4.38 ERA—on pace to be the worst of his career.
Whether it’s the guidance of the Tigers’ pitching coaches, the boost from competing in a new environment, or simply the energy of playing for a winning team after years in Washington’s struggles, Finnegan has emerged as a noticeably different pitcher in Detroit than he was earlier in his career.
Where to Turn in Bullpen if Finnegan Misses Time
With Paul Sewald already sidelined, the Tigers will now need the rest of their bullpen to shoulder more of the workload ahead of closer Will Vest, who has been outstanding this season. Set-up men Tommy Kahnle and Tyler Holton will need to step up in Finnegan’s absence, filling the role he had dominated since joining Detroit.
While Detroit has led the American League most of the season, much of that success has come despite inconsistent pitching. Outside of AL Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal, the rotation and bullpen have been uneven. The Tigers currently rank around 10th in MLB in key pitching categories such as ERA, strikeouts, and batting average against. Even with a potent offense carrying the team, a thin and injury-prone pitching staff could pose a serious challenge in a deep playoff run.
