Ominous Will Vest injury update might unfortunately be for the best for Tigers

Will Vest has been on the Tigers' IL (for his second stint) since July 1 and hasn't appeared in a game since June 27, when he gave up three runs (two earned) in the eighth to blow Detroit's lead and a save opportunity. He was diagnosed with posterior elbow inflammation and, during the Tigers' series against the Rangers at the beginning of the month, stayed behind in Texas to get a second opinion from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister. Never a good sign.

On Friday, Vest had another diagnosis: an elbow stress fracture. It won't require surgery, rather just time and rest, and the Tigers are optimistic that he'll be back at some point this season.

But, given Vest's struggles this year (6.08 ERA in 26 2/3 innings), it might be for the best that he gets a little time off to reset both physically and mentally. The Tigers' bullpen hasn't necessarily been hurting for his absence.

He was one of the Tigers' best relievers from 2023 through 2025, but it's no secret that he's been off his game this year (which may or may not be somewhat AJ Hinch's fault).

Will Vest avoids surgery, but Tigers offer no timeline to return

Vest said of the injury, "I'm trying to do everything I can to get back, but you can only do so much with a bone. We're at the mercy of that, waiting for it to heal. I'm drinking as much milk as I can, hoping and praying it gets better quick. [...] You kind of go a little crazy [on the IL]. I'm just trying to get through it day by day."

He admitted that the elbow has been giving him some grief for a lot of the season, even though he went onto the IL back in May with forearm inflammation, but there was nothing to do but "rest it and rehab it and see how it responds."

Vest's 6.08 ERA is the highest of any Tigers reliever with 20+ innings pitched, and his -0.9 bWAR makes him not only the least valuable pitcher on Detroit's roster, but one of the least valuable players overall.

Again, it might not totally be Vest's fault. Hinch has insisted on using him in eighth innings which, for whatever reason, Vest tends to fall apart during. Signing Kenley Jansen and re-signing Kyle Finnegan with the hope of being able to use the three of them every which way in late innings has not worked out for the Tigers.

So, antsy or not, Vest could use the break. Hopefully he'll look like his usual self when he's back.

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