Detroit Tigers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) started his minor-league rehab assignment with Low-A Lakeland on Thursday and threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings his first time out with three hits allowed, no walks and two strikeouts. Gipson-Long was finally cleared to start pitching in real games again after facing live hitters in late April. The 27-year-old is recovering from right UCL reconstruction (Tommy John surgery) last April and also a left-hip labral repair in early July of 2024, so he still has a ways to go before he'll be an option for the Tigers in the big leagues. Gipson-Long made it to the big leagues in 2023 and looked strong, allowing seven runs (six earned) while walking eight and fanning 26 in four starts (20 innings). It's more than anyone expected for a pitcher that wasn't high on prospect lists entering that season. Gipson-Long could rejoin the minors around the All-Star break when he's cleared.

The Detroit Tigers optioned right-hander Keider Montero back to Triple-A Toledo on Friday after his spot start during the team's doubleheader in Colorado against the Rockies on Thursday. Montero was excellent against the last-place Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field in the second game of the twin bill, allowing just one earned run on five hits while walking three and striking out two in eight innings for his first win of 2025. The 24-year-old will go back to the farm for now, but he'll surely be back up in the big leagues when the Tigers need another starter, especially after that strong performance. The good outing lowered his ERA to 4.15 on the season and his WHIP to 1.48 WHIP through 21 2/3 innings and four starts. Montero has flashed some high-end potential through his first 120 innings after debuting in 2024, but he's also been very inconsistent with a below-average 18.2% strikeout rate.

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Will Vest was called upon to hold a one-run lead against the Texas Rangers on Friday. The Tigers elected to use Tommy Kahnle in the eighth inning and give Vest the final frame in this game. Vest was getting more save chances earlier in the season, but this was his first chance this month. He was able to throw a scoreless inning and strike out one batter as he recorded his fourth save of the season. He has been excellent with a 2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 19/7 K/BB ratio across 17 innings of work this season. He isn't a must-have fantasy option because he's not the primary closer, but Vest has been putting up good numbers this season.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal was excellent on the mound during Friday's outing against the Texas Rangers. The southpaw retired the first 15 batters he faced before giving up a single in the sixth inning. The Rangers would evenutally push across a run, but it was still an incredible performance by Skubal. The reigning CY Young award winner tossed seven innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, while striking out 12 batters. The left-hander has now struck out 11 batters or more in two of his last three starts. He'll take a 2.08 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 60/5 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Boston Red Sox. Yes, that is correct, Skubal has only five walks on the season and hasn't walked in a batter in three straight starts. He obviously needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy formats.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson went 5-for-9 throughout Thursday's doubleheader in two lopsided wins. The 25-year-old doubled twice, singled thrice, scored two runs, and drove in four, with the Tigers outscoring Colorado 21-3 across the twin bill. Torkelson has cooled off a bit from his power binge a few weeks ago and slumped slightly to end April. However, he's turned it on since the calendar flipped to May with at least one run scored in seven straight appearances. It's been an excellent start to 2025 for him, and his batted ball metrics look much closer to his 31-homer 2023 campaign than the lackluster 2024. Torkelson has tied the home run total he bolstered a season ago (ten) in 204 fewer at-bats.