Detroit may be quietly shaping the most dynamic edge in baseball's second half: bullpen depth. Under A.J. Hinch, the Tigers are leaning into a bullpen-by-committee that can morph for each opponent, each series, and every postseason scenario. Deadline additions—Kyle Finnegan, Rafael Montero, Codi Heuer, and Paul Seawald—gave Hinch a deep pool to shuffle, preserving a fresh arm throughout a long run. The supporting cast—Will Vest, Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, Alex Lange, Troy Melton, Brenan Hanifee, Tommy Kahnle, Chase Lee, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Bailey Horn and more—forms a flexible web that keeps the late innings in play even with injuries or fatigue looming.

In practical terms, Detroit can deploy a bullpen with multiple flavors: lefty and righty matchups, longer relief to bridge to late-inning relievers, and a revolving door of setup options that keeps a keen edge on leverage. Vest’s 2.55 ERA anchors a strong core, while Lange and Seawald bring back-end options that indirectly multiply holds and occasional saves for fantasy managers. With roughly a month left in the regular season, the Tigers’ depth could carry them through September and into October with a lineup that thrives on matchup-driven bullpen usage.

Bottom line: Detroit’s bullpen depth creates flexibility that few teams can replicate, turning relief innings into a strategic asset rather than a single closer’s nightly task. If Hinch gets the right configurations, this depth becomes a real fantasy differentiator in holds-heavy leagues and a potential source of collateral saves in tight races.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch emphasizes the need for his players to remain 'humble and hungry' as they return from the All-Star break, leading the league with a 59-38 record. Despite their strong performance, Hinch reflects on the team’s recent struggles, including a four-game losing streak prompted by a series sweep against the Seattle Mariners. Key players such as Javier Báez, Riley Greene, and Gleyber Torres participated in the All-Star Game, and while the team aims for the AL Central title, they must address their bullpen's inefficiencies, which rank 26th in the MLB.

In injury news, outfielder Kerry Carpenter is nearing a return from a hamstring strain, while pitcher Alex Cobb continues to manage hip issues, undergoing injections. The Tigers are poised to start a crucial series against the Texas Rangers, hoping to regain momentum and strengthen their playoff position.

The Detroit Tigers have taken a hit as starting pitcher Jackson Jobe is out for the rest of the season due to a right elbow injury. This raises concerns about the team's pitching depth as they head into the latter half of the 2025 season. Jobe's absence leaves a noticeable gap in the rotation, exacerbated by the recent struggles of the team, highlighted by a tough loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

On a positive note, relief pitcher Alex Lange has begun a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan, which could bolster the Tigers' bullpen this season. Lange previously demonstrated solid performance during his four years with the team, and his return might ease the pressure on the struggling pitching staff. Currently, Detroit ranks in the middle tier for ERA and home runs allowed, trying to maintain playoff contention with a resilient bullpen.

Detroit Tigers reliever Alex Lange is making strides in his recovery from a significant right latissimus dorsi tendon injury. After a year-long absence from MLB action, Lange returned to throwing with optimism. Despite setbacks early in his rehab process, he remains focused on his goal of contributing to the Tigers' World Series aspirations in 2025. Lange’s motivation is palpable, stating, 'Those World Series rings are pretty big' and emphasizing a day-by-day approach to his recovery.

With a career 38.6% whiff rate, Lange's return could greatly enhance a Tigers bullpen that currently struggles to get batters to swing and miss. His ability to miss bats, combined with the current bullpen's contact-heavy strategy, could be pivotal as the team pushes for a postseason run. Lange's work ethic and commitment to improving his command will be crucial as he prepares for his next steps in rehabilitation.

Relief pitcher John Brebbia has signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, which could escalate to $14.25 million over two years based on performance metrics. The 34-year-old veteran comes off a challenging season, having struggled with the Chicago White Sox before finding form with the Atlanta Braves in September, where he posted a 2.70 ERA. His contract includes various incentives based on games pitched and finished, allowing him to earn substantial bonuses.

To accommodate Brebbia, the Tigers placed Alex Lange on the 60-day injured list as he recovers from surgery. Brebbia's experience and recent improvement could provide valuable depth to the Tigers' bullpen, especially with Lange's indefinite absence. Fantasy players should keep an eye on Brebbia's performance metrics this season, as he could be a sleeper pick if he can build on his late-season success.