Detroit Tigers

Scott Effross

RP

Effross suffered a left oblique strain in early March and is finally ready to throw off the mound again. The sidearming reliever has struggled from a health and results perspective in recent years but will give the Tigers some experienced bullpen depth at Triple-A Toledo once he's healthy.

Tyler Owens

SP

Owens is working his way back from arthroscopic right hip surgery after re-signing with the Tigers on a minor-league contract. The righty got a cup of coffee in the majors last season and should join the Triple-A Toledo bullpen once he's deemed physically ready.

Troy Watson

SP

Watson is in camp as a non-roster invitee, but he may not have enough time to complete his rehab and see Grapefruit League action before the end of the spring. Whenever he's back to full health, He's likely to head to Triple-A Toledo, where he'll presumably settle back into a starting role. After beginning last season as a reliever, Watson held his own upon moving into the Toledo rotation, logging a 3.20 ERA while punching out 59 batters over 70.1 innings across 14 starts.

Trey Sweeney

SS

The 25-year-old suffered the right shoulder strain at the start of camp and was unable to play in any games during spring training. Sweeney will require a rehab assignment to get some games in before returning from the IL. Even once healthy, he could be ticketed for the minors with top prospect Kevin McGonigle beginning the season as Detroit's primary shortstop.

Bailey Horn

RP

Horn underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow during the offseason and continues to work through his rehab program. The left-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions but will likely require a handful of rehab appearances after missing spring training.

Sawyer Gipson-Long

RP

The right-hander sustained the injury during the offseason and was working through his rehab program during spring training. Gipson-Long was throwing bullpen sessions late in camp and will likely need a rehab assignment before being cleared for his season debut with Detroit.

Beau Brieske

RP

Brieske suffered a left adductor strain during a workout last week and will now be shelved until at least late May. Putting Brieske on the 60-day IL frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Connor Seabold.

Jackson Jobe

SP

Jobe continues to slowly ramp up his throwing program, as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. There's a chance Jobe could pitch toward the end of the 2026 season, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see the Tigers keep Jobe shelved until spring training next year.

Troy Melton

RP

Melton was diagnosed with a right elbow strain early in camp and was shut down earlier this month prior to being placed on the 60-day injured list. Melton will be sidelined until at least late May, but it's encouraging that he's now able to start throwing again. Melton will be rotation depth behind Tarik Skull, Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander and Casey Mize.

Dugan Darnell

RP

Darnell has opened camp behind the team's healthy bullpen candidates after undergoing left hip labral repair surgery in September. The 28-year-old could be ready to get back onto a mound soon, but he still looks like he'll face an uphill battle to win a spot on the Opening Day roster.

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.

Reese Olson

SP

It was feared that Olson would not be ready for Opening Day, but it turned out to be worse than that. Near the end of the 2025 season, there was a hope that he could return for the postseason after hitting the injured list in July, but that did not come to fruition either. Prior to the Tigers announcing Olson's surgery, they had signed Framber Valdez on Feb. 4 and Justin Verlander earlier Tuesday. Troy Melton is also an option to find time in the rotation with both Olson and Jackson Jobe (elbow) out.