Early hints show veteran Tigers reliever has chance to rise into closer's role

With the Tigers aiming to build on last year's surprising playoff spot, they're currently working through some challenges, which have seen them begin this season under .500, along with the rest of the AL Central. It's still extremely early, of course, but one of the challenges facing manager A. J. Hinch is who will be the team's main closer (in the currently assembled committee).

Last year that role went to Jason Foley, who finished the regular season with a team-leading 28 saves. However, despite being a full-time member of the Tigers' bullpen for three seasons, it was interesting that Hinch only utilized him once during the playoffs, preferring to mix and match.

This alluded to what was to come for Foley, when the shocking decision was made to exclude him from this year's Opening Day roster. He was instead optioned to Triple-A Toledo, opening the door for someone to step in and claim the closer's role for themselves.

Tommy Kahnle throws a curveball into Tigers' search for a closer

One of those possibilities is former Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle, who was the main addition to the bullpen during the offseason after agreeing a one-year, $7.75 million deal. There will understandably by those questioning why he would even be an option as the main closer, given he had just eight career saves to his name in 10 years entering this season.

However, it would seem Kahnle will at least be in the running to take on the main closer role based -- if nothing else -- on the first week of the season. As per Woodbery, at the time of writing, the Tigers have only had one true ninth-inning save situation so far in 2025, and it went to the 35-year-old.

Facing a Mariners team in Seattle and with a 4-1 lead, Kahnle came through in style, as he orchestrated a 1-2-3 inning to secure the road win for the Tigers. Hinch downplayed the fact it was the righty who got the opportunity when speaking to the media postgame, but did also praise him.

Kahnle is coming though for the Tigers, no matter the opponent

We appreciate critics will claim dealing effectively with the Mariners isn't much to shout about, given they aren't exactly the best offense in the Majors; in this specific game, they were held to just one hit. However, you can only face what's in front of you, and sealing the deal in the ninth still requires mental fortitude and a clutch gene, no matter who is at the plate.

Besides, if people want to criticize that Kahnle only faced the Mariners, then you also have to give him credit for his performance against the high-powered Dodgers in his previous outing. Yes, the Dodgers ultimately won 8-5 in extra innings, but he did his job in pitching another 1-2-3 inning, including two strikeouts.

Nothing is ever guaranteed when it comes to baseball, something which Kahnle knows as well as anyone else. However, based off what we've seen so far, he's going to at least get the reps to potentially become the Tigers' main closer.

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