Alex Lange DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange got destroyed on Sunday, allowing four runs in just IP in a 9-3 loss to the Houston Astros. Lange allowed five hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout. The 28-year-old had been pitching well recently and seemed to be making a case to be re-inserted into the closer discussion, but a lot of that goodwill went away today with this disastrous performance. The Tigers will likely continue to use Jason Foley in the ninth inning, although they don't seem to fully trust him of late. Still, a lack of other options makes Foley the go-to guy for now.

Detroit Tigers relieverAlex Langewalked three batters and struck out one while recording just one out in the team's 7-6 extra-innings win against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Lange came into the game in the seventh inning and loaded the bases on walks, striking outYoan Moncadain the process. Lange avoided having any earned runs charged to him asWill VestgotEloy Jimenezto ground into an inning-ending double play. After throwing 23 pitches with control issues evident, it may be unlikely that Lange will pitch again on Sunday. The 28-year-old's next appearance will likely be in the Tigers' next series starting on Monday as they travel to Citi Field to face off against the New York Mets. Jason Foley notched the first save opportunity for the Tigers and appears to be the favorite over Lange to be Detoit's primary closer. Fantasy managers should add Foley in all league formats.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Lange has struggled through his first two appearances of the spring after an inconsistent 2023 season, much of which was spent as the Tigers' closer. The 28-year-old has yielded four earned runs on five hits, including two homers, across just two innings of work. He does have five strikeouts against just one walk allowed in that time but he has surrendered a .455 batting average to this point in Grapefruit League action. It's an ominous start to the spring considering Lange was all over the map a season ago, struggling with free passes by way of a 15.6% BB%. He finished the season with a solid 3.68 ERA with 26 saves and a healthy 27.4% K%, and his 50.6% ground-ball rate helped limit home runs. However, with the Tigers looking to compete in the 2024 season and the additions of Andrew Chafin and Shelby Miller to their bullpen, along with internal closing candidates, Lange will be on a short leash despite likely beginning the season as the club's closer.