2021 Detroit Tigers after 60 games…where do we go from here?

The Detroit Tigers Bullpen after 60 games:

The bullpen is currently comprised of Jose Cisnero, Jason Foley, Kyle Funkhouser, Bryan Garcia, Rony Garcia, Derek Holland, Joe Jimenez, Daniel Norris, Tyler Alexander, and Gregory Soto, along with Michael Fulmer on the IL for an unknown amount of time, but not thought to be serious. Fatigue always worries me, especially June with an injury-filled history for the player. The unit had a rough start to the season along with the rest of the team but it has settled down.

Kyle Funkhouser has been a pleasant surprise in his 15.2 innings across 12 appearances, featuring a 2.87 ERA and 13K’s to go along with a 1.02 WHIP. Jose Cisnero seems to be settling into the closer’s role, with Gregory Soto also playing a part in the back end of the bullpen. Jason Foley is the newcomer and he features 98+ with the fastball but it still looks too straight to me for him to find major league success. I need to see more of Foley and am withholding final judgment but I’m watching him through squinted eyes.

Joe Jimenez, Bryan Garcia, and Derek Holland can not be trusted, though Holland was better in his few appearances in May and first showing in June before a rough outing on June 5th in Chicago. He will need to be watched closely but these are 3 spots that the Tigers can churn as they see fit and continue to try out other arms in the organization.

Relievers on the 40 man in Toledo that could see some time include Beau Burrows, who is struggling and appears to behave pitched himself out of future plans, Alex Lange who started out strong in Detroit before hitting the skids and has not been any better in Toledo, and Erasmo Ramirez who was called up and placed on the 10 day IL before making an appearance. It is easy to see why Al Avila opted to place Jason Foley on the 40 man roster for his latest bullpen move, the roster is barren.

Some other possible additions going forward from Toledo that would cause 40 man roster casualties are Ian Krol, Locke St. John, Drew Carlton, or maybe even the return of Buck Farmer should he right the ship. The bullpen’s best days may have been the month of May and it’s easy to see it sliding down as the season takes its toll on the existing arms and the depth is challenged.