Detroit Tigers DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jason Foley got the final out of a 6-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to earn the save on Friday. With runners on first and third, Foley needed just three pitches to induce a Danny Jansen groundout to secure the win for his team. The 28-year-old has been steady at the back of the Detroit bullpen this season, posting a 2-1 record, 2.41 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts over 18 2/3 innings of work while converting 11 of his 12 save opportunities. While he doesn't post big strikeout numbers, Foley has fantasy value as Detroit's primary closer moving forward.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Wilmer Flores (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. The 23-year-old is working his way back from a AC joint issue in his shoulder. Before going down, Flores was struggling to the tune of a 6.04 ERA in 13 relief appearances in Triple-A. The Tigers still have high hopes for Flores despite his recent struggles. He came into the league as a starting pitcher, but is transitioning into a relief role this season.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (hip) is scheduled to make his next start on Saturday against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Olson was forced to leave his last start on Monday early against the Kansas City Royals when he was hit by a comebacker in his hip, but he only suffered a bruise and is ready to take his next turn in the rotation this weekend. In the plus matchup against a Blue Jays offense that has been out of sorts for most of the early part of the year, Olson should be returned to starting fantasy lineups in most leagues. The 24-year-old former 13th-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018 has yet to win a game and has five losses, but it's not because he hasn't pitched well. He's currently sporting a great 2.16 ERA and 1.06 WHIP and has walked 16 and struck out 43 in 50 innings over his nine starts.

The Detroit Tigers announced on Friday that they have reinstated right-hander Kenta Maeda (illness) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Matt Manning to Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move after Thursday night's game. Maeda is recovered from his illness and will toe the rubber against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Even against a Toronto lineup that has mostly struggled to put up runs this year, the 36-year-old Japanese starter isn't a recommended fantasy streamer in his first start off the IL and probably isn't very likely to go deep in this ballgame. In his first seven starts in 2024, Maeda has been pretty hittable and has posted a 6.75 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks in 30 2/3 innings. There just isn't any fantasy upside left with Maeda, especially while pitching for Detroit.

The Detroit Tigers optioned right-hander Alex Lange to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday and recalled right-hander Mason Englert from Toledo in a corresponding move. The move to demote Lange to the minors comes a day after he gave up four earned runs in one inning of work in the team's loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The 28-year-old opened the year as Detroit's closer but will now try to figure some things out in the minors after going 0-3 so far in 2024 with a career-worst 4.34 ERA (3.94 FIP), a 1.77 WHIP, two saves, 17 walks and 21 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Lange had a career-high 26 saves for the Tigers last year but has fallen on hard times so far this year, mainly for his inability to control the strike zone. He should be back in Detroit eventually, but he's not guaranteed to win the closer role back from Jason Foley.