Tigers get best-case scenario news on Kyle Finnegan after untimely move to IL

The Tigers have had some bad luck with pitching injuries throughout the season — Reese Olson's season-ending shoulder issue, Jackson Jobe undergoing Tommy John, the entire Alex Cobb debacle — but perhaps none have been as dire as Kyle Finnegan going onto the IL with an adductor strain.

Olson, Jobe, and Cobb's injuries were sustained early enough into the season (in Cobb's case, well before the season began) that Detroit was able to find ways to make up for the losses. There was no way to do the same for Finnegan.

Before going onto the IL on Sept. 1, he was absolutely dominant for the Tigers and refused to give up a run in 14 1/3 innings pitched, making his acquisition the best of Scott Harris' trade deadline by far. We can never forget about Will Vest, who was able to move back into the closer role full-time after Finnegan went down, but without Finnegan, the Tigers were right back to where they started before the deadline — missing a truly trustworthy, high-leverage arm.

However, the Tigers offered some optimism on Finnegan's return to the team. He threw off a mound for the first time on Saturday and reported being pain-free, noting, "I think we're in a good spot where we've exceeded expectations in terms of the recovery."

Although he might not be able to come off of the IL exactly when his 15 days are up, there's hope that he could be back for the Tigers' weekend series against the Braves.

Kyle Finnegan 'exceeded expectations' in first time throwing off a mound since going on Tigers' IL

With the Triple-A Mud Hens' season ending on Sept. 21, there probably won't be an opportunity to send Finnegan on a rehab assignment. Instead, the Tigers would stick to sim games at Comerica.

AJ Hinch tempered expectations a bit, saying that Finnegan would have to throw another bullpen and continue to report positive news before the Tigers would have a longer think about reactivating him, but he threw "18 pitches, full arsenal, max-effort" on Saturday and felt good the next day.

Vest has pitched 16 2/3 innings and has finished 10 games with five saves for the Tigers in Finnegan's absence, so the Tigers aren't necessarily in a terrible spot. Still, getting Finnegan back will not only take some pressure off of Vest, but will restore the reassurance Finnegan brought — and that the Tigers desperately needed — after the deadline.