Detroit Tigers

Troy Melton

RP

Melton is in the second week of a projected 1-2 week shutdown period after he was diagnosed with a right elbow strain. The young hurler did not appear in any games before getting hurt, so he will need some time to be built back up after he's cleared to throw. Melton has already been ruled out for the beginning of the season, but there's no word yet on a specific timetable for his return.

Beau Brieske

RP

Brieske had to be pulled from Monday's Grapefruit League appearance versus Atlanta due to right ribcage tightness. If the reliever gets through Saturday's mound session with no concerns, he should be cleared to return to game action next week.

Josue Briceno

C

Briceno injured the wrist in a Grapefruit League contest last weekend and is now looking at an extended absence following surgery. The 21-year-old hit .266/.383/.500 with 20 home runs over 100 games between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie in 2025. Once healthy, he'll likely head back to Erie.

Hao-Yu Lee

2B

It's unclear how or when Lee sustained the injury, but he will travel to Lakeland to undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury. He spent the entire 2025 season with Triple-A Toledo, where he slashed .248/.345/.414 with 22 steals (on 26 attempts), 14 home runs and 63 RBI in 579 plate appearances.

Dillon Dingler

C

Dingler has been eased into a throwing program in Tigers camp after having arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow in January. The 27-year-old has seen action in a couple Grapefruit League contests as a designated hitter, but it's unclear when he will be ready to catch in a spring training game. As long as he continues to progress without setbacks, Dingler is expected to be ready for Opening Day.

Sawyer Gipson-Long

RP

Gipson-Long has been dealing with a strained left oblique early in spring training but is making progress in his recovery. The right-hander appeared in eight games for Detroit last regular season, making three starts. He figures to open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Toledo.

Tyler Owens

SP

The right-hander is working his way back from arthroscopic right hip surgery, but since he's close to stepping back on a mound, he should have decent odds of avoiding an Opening Day stint on the injured list. Owens made three appearances for Detroit in 2025 but appears likely to head to Triple-A Toledo to start the upcoming campaign.

Phil Bickford

RP

Bickford spent time with the Cubs' and Phillies' Triple-A affiliates in 2025, posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.98 WHIP to go with a 54:17 K:BB across 48 total innings. The 30-year-old righty will likely spend the majority of 2026 at Triple-A Toledo but could return to the big leagues if he continues to find success in the minors.

Trey Sweeney

SS

Sweeney started at shortstop each of the last three times the Tigers faced a righty to close out the regular season, but he will begin his team's first playoff game on the bench as the Guardians send right-hander Gavin Williams to the bump. Javier Baez is handling shortstop and batting ninth.