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.

Paul Sewald, the 35-year-old veteran reliever for the Detroit Tigers, is on the path to recovery after battling consecutive right shoulder strains that have sidelined him for most of the season. After being traded from the Cleveland Guardians, he reported to Comerica Park and began a return-to-play throwing progression. Sewald expressed optimism about his rehab, noting he felt great after his first day of catch. The Tigers anticipate he will be healthy enough to pitch by early September and potentially return to the mound by mid-month, although Sewald has not committed to a specific timeline.

Sewald's performance before the injuries included a 4.70 ERA over 15⅓ innings, with notable strikeout potential; however, he acknowledges the unpredictable nature of rehabilitation timelines. He is focused on regaining his strength and is prepared for potential workload restrictions upon his return. Looking ahead, he aspires to be a significant contributor to the Tigers' bullpen as they aim for a postseason run.

Paul Sewald, a key reliever for the Cleveland Guardians, has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain, following a game against the Minnesota Twins. During that game, he experienced inflammation after facing only two batters, striking one out before being removed. This season, Sewald holds a record of 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA over 14 appearances. His previous season with the Arizona Diamonds was marred by injury issues. To fill the gap, Cleveland has recalled pitcher Joey Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus and signed Vince Velasquez from the same team, while sending down Cody Bolton. Notably, ace Shane Bieber has also been transitioned to the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

The Seattle Mariners made headlines this offseason, especially with the significant movements of their former players. Notably, Paul Sewald, the former closer for Seattle, signed a one-year contract worth $6 million with the Cleveland Guardians. In his first encounter with Mariners' catcher Cal Raleigh during spring training, Sewald faced a familiar challenge when Raleigh hit a home run off him, giving the Mariners a temporary lead. The Mariners eventually secured a 7-2 victory in that game, showcasing their growing lineup despite the recent changes.

Raleigh joked about hitting the homer, referencing their past collaborations, highlighting the light-hearted nature of their competitive relationship. With Sewald having recorded a solid 2.88 ERA with 51 saves for Seattle over three seasons, this matchup will be eagerly watched when both teams meet again in 2025. The Mariners are also anticipating new contributions from Seth Martinez, a recent acquisition from the Houston Astros, enhancing their bullpen depth.

The Cleveland Guardians have bolstered their bullpen for the upcoming 2025 season by signing Paul Sewald from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sewald, a right-handed pitcher, expressed initial confusion regarding Cleveland's interest, given their already impressive bullpen. However, he quickly grasped the importance of depth in the pitching staff, especially after the Guardians parted ways with several key relievers. With a solid track record, including a 4.31 ERA and 43 strikeouts over 39.2 innings last season, Sewald aims to play a vital role for the Guardians, who heavily relied on their bullpen during their playoff run last year.

Sewald's career trajectory has seen ups and downs, starting with a rocky stint at the New York Mets before finding his form with the Seattle Mariners, where he posted a 3.06 ERA in 2021. His strikeout rate of 10.8 per nine innings is particularly appealing for a team looking to enhance their relief options. Sewald's experience and recent performance make him a valuable addition to the Guardians as they aim for success in the coming season.