Tigers' latest roster shuffle reveals they've dodged serious injury concern

The Tigers picked up reliever Carlos Hernández off of waivers from the Phillies on Monday, a day after Will Vest exited a game against the Reds (after three unearned runs scored due to uncharacteristically sloppy defense) with a pinky issue. The timing of Hernández's addition was curious, and it forced Tigers fans to wonder if we were about to get some bad news on Vest, who AJ Hinch said would undergo a full slate of tests.

On Tuesday, the Tigers promoted Hernández to the majors, but the corresponding move let everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Instead of Vest going onto the IL, Tyler Owens was sent back down to Triple-A without pitching following his June 15 promotion as the corresponding move for John Brebbia's DFA.

Vest said he completed the tests and was treated on the Tigers' off day on Monday, and confirmed that he won't need an IL stint. This is fantastic news for Detroit, a team already lacking in high-leverage relievers that has entrusted the majority of their saves to Vest. He has delivered, with a 2.57 ERA in 35 innings along with 12 saves so far, 37 strikeouts to just nine walks, and only two home runs allowed.

Waiver claim Carlos Hernández's promotion, Tyler Owens' demotion, means Tigers have avoided disaster with Will Vest

Owens was one of the prospects who came over at the 2024 trade deadline in the Carson Kelly trade with the Rangers. Detroit decided to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, alongside pitchers Chase Lee, who is now in the major league bullpen, and Tyler Mattison. Owens got his major league debut on May 1 and has pitched two innings, but the Tigers seem more convinced by Lee, who's pitched 21 1/3 for a 2.11 ERA.

Hernández was DFA'ed by the Phillies on June 11, after he threw 25 2/3 innings for a 5.26 ERA. He did some decent work with the Royals from 2020-2024, so he could be a decent enough stopgap in the bullpen, or might even surprise everyone and stick around a little while, as Lee has.

Either way, the Tigers get to keep their closer off the IL. It's unclear exactly what the concern was with Vest's pinky (even Hinch admitted he didn't know what the issue was), but it doesn't really matter as long as it was minor enough that the Tigers and Vest will be able to get back to business like the hiccup never happened.