Tigers' Kyle Finnegan move may be for the best after Ty Madden's spotless appearance

Ahead of their opener against the White Sox on Thursday, the Tigers placed Kyle Finnegan on the 15-day IL with left groin inflammation (which got a presumably involuntary laugh out of Jason Benetti, who reiterated the news on the broadcast that night). Ty Madden was recalled to take his place.

Although we'll never celebrate when a player is injured, it's impossible to deny that Finnegan's absence from the bullpen immediately made it stronger, even if Madden's had his own struggles this season. He was optioned in late August after posting a 7.00 ERA in nine innings.

But he held the fort more than well enough on Thursday. After taking over for Jacob Waguespack, who had pitched a scoreless inning behind Framber Valdez, Madden was tasked with finishing out the game and preserving a two-run deficit for the Tigers.

He only gave up one hit and no walks to the White Sox to keep the Tigers in the game. The offense couldn't come through, but it was an encouraging sign for a former top prospect who's been rocky since his debut in 2024, missed all of 2025 with injury, and has been sent up and down a lot this season.

Tigers won't be missing Kyle Finnegan much after admirable effort from Ty Madden

Madden will be fighting for a roster spot in a 2027 bullpen that desperately needs to be rebuilt from almost the ground up. Tyler Holton and Drew Sommers (and Will Vest, if he's healthy enough) arguably should be the only players guaranteed a spot on next year's roster. Finnegan is still under contract through the season, but the Tigers need to consider eating the $8 million they owe him after the failure of his 2026.

Waguespack has also made an admirable argument for himself to stay with the team next year, but we should expect some heavy competition in spring training between Madden, Andrew Sears, Brant Hurter, and Beau Brieske. The Tigers should also be heavily invested in the reliever market during free agency this year and add at least one more arm to replace Kenley Jansen.

Madden has minor league options, so there's no concern about losing him altogether, but he still needs to re-audition for a more permanent role in 2027, and he's one of many lefties Detroit already has. This two-inning reintroduction was a nice start.

As for Finnegan, at least Tigers fans won't have to look away or turn off our TVs altogether the moment he steps onto the mound anymore — or, at least through the rest of this season.

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