Alex Lange DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

MLive's Evan Woodbery reports that Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Lange (lat) recently experienced increased upper-arm inflammation. He received multiple opinions, and it has been recommended that he completes a period of rest before resuming his throwing program. Lange underwent surgery on his right lat last June, which forced him to begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list. This setback will lengthen his recovery time, but hopefully he'll be ready to resume his throwing program after a period of rest. The 29-year-old reliever is currently on the 60-day injured, so the earliest he could return to Detroit's bullpen will be in late May. Lange had an ERA over 4.00 and only two saves in 21 relief appearances last year, but he had a 3.68 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a career-high 26 saves for the team in 2023, so he could be in line for a high-leverage role by the end of the season if he overcomes his injury.

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange (lat) has begun playing catch three times a week from 120 feet, according to the team. Lange underwent lat surgery in June which caused him to miss the entire second half of the 2024 season. Before the injury, the 29-year-old posted a 3.34 ERA and 1.77 WHIP across 18 2/3 innings. He tallied two saves and posted an underwhelming 17:21 BB:K ratio. However, he did generate whiffs at an elite 33.3% mark. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Spring Training, as he may be able to participate, given his current pace. While Jason Foley will likely operate as the go-to ninth-inning option in Detroit this coming season, Lange could eventually mix in for opportunities as he tallied 26 saves during the 2023 season.

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.