Colt Keith returned from the injured list and made an immediate impact in ALDS Game 1, singling on the second pitch after taking the first pitch for a strike as Detroit edged Seattle 3-2. The 24-year-old DH-type bat provided a timely spark, part of a Tigers lineup that values his growing on-base profile and hard contact while he continues to show progress after rib-cage inflammation.

Detroit will lean on Tarik Skubal in Game 2 in Seattle, a nod to the pitcher’s roots and the club’s belief in its depth. Keider Montero nailed down the 11th-inning save, finishing off a tense win as A.J. Hinch and the Tigers bullpen trusted late-inning arms to close out the Mariners.

Detroit's ALDS roster vs Seattle is set at 26 players: 14 position players and 12 pitchers. The big news is Colt Keith is active at third base after rib-cage inflammation, boosting infield depth alongside Báez, Ibáñez, Torkelson and Torres. Detroit's lineup also features Dingler, Rogers, Carpenter, Greene, Jones, Meadows and Pérez across the plate. The pitching staff includes Melton (Game 1) and Skubal (Game 2), with Flaherty, Hanifee, Kahnle, Mize, Montero and Vest ready from the bullpen. The winner faces Toronto or New York in the ALCS.

The Tigers' playoff roster can shift ahead of each series. Key moves: Keith added as an infielder and Justyn-Henry Malloy removed; Brenan Hanifee added as a right-hander, Paul Sewald removed. The series kicks off Saturday night at T-Mobile Park, with Melton drawing George Kirby in the opener and Skubal set for Game 2 against Luis Castillo.

Detroit’s 26-man playoff roster for the AL wild-card vs Cleveland leans heavily on a 14-position, 12-pitcher plan with Tarik Skubal slated to open. The lineup targets right-handers with Meadows, Torres, Carpenter, Torkelson, Greene, Dingler, McKinstry, Pérez and Sweeney, backed by Ibañez, Jones and Malloy off the bench. Injuries to Colt Keith and Matt Vierling threaten depth, while Flaherty and Mize anchor the rotation. Guardians-lefty matchups shape late-inning decisions, and the winner advances to Seattle.

Colt Keith is on the injured list with right rib cage inflammation (intercostal strain) and will miss the Tigers’ remaining regular-season games, with a postseason return uncertain. Detroit has eight games left; the wild-card series starts Sept. 30, and the ALDS on Oct. 4. Keith hopes to ramp back with inflammation down and rehab steps like swinging and running to gauge playoff availability, while Ibáñez, Jung, McKinstry and Sweeney share third-base duties.

Matt Vierling has missed most of 2025 due to multiple injuries (shoulder, left oblique) and is aiming to be ready within two weeks to be ALDS-eligible. He’s rehabbed with running and throwing drills but isn’t swinging yet. His potential return would boost Tigers’ depth and versatility, affecting late-season at-bats and playoff rotation for outfield and bench spots.