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Tigers pretty much rule out trade deadline acquisition for season after roster move

Oh.
ByEmma Lingan|
Jul 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Paul Sewald (34) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jul 5, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Paul Sewald (34) throws a pitch during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Heading into Thursday's trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers desperately needed a reliever who could generate swings and misses. They got one in right-hander Paul Sewald.

That's the good news. The bad news? Well, Sewald's strike-throwing ability only benefits the Tigers if he's healthy ... which he is decidedly not.

Sewald, whom the Tigers acquired from the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations, has spent the majority of the 2025 season on the injured list. The 35-year-old was diagnosed with a moderate teres major strain over the All-Star break and is not expected to pitch for Detroit until at least September.

The Tigers made that official on Thursday when they transferred Sewald to the 60-day injured list to clear a roster spot for former Washington Nationals reliever Kyle Finnegan.

Tigers pretty much rule out trade deadline acquisition Paul Sewald for season after roster move

After being moved off of the 40-man roster, Sewald won't be eligible to be activated off of the IL until Sept. 10, at the earliest. That probably doesn't include rehab assignment/necessary buildup, either. When healthy, however, the veteran right-hander has been effective.

Injuries have limited Sewald to just 18 games this season, in which he has posted a 4.70 ERA with four walks and 18 strikeouts across 15 1/3 innings. Prior to this season, Sewald also had a 4.31 ERA across 39 2/3 innings in 42 games in 2024. A nine-year MLB veteran, he owns a 4.11 ERA in his career, spanning 377 relief appearances.

Sewald has a $10 million mutual option for the 2026 season, with a $1 million buyout. If Sewald opts in, the Tigers must decide whether to exercise the option and pay him $10 million or decline and pay the $1 million buyout. In the meantime, however, they should be more concerned about what Sewald can do for them in 2025.

If he can get healthy – and stay healthy – before the end of the season, Sewald can be a low-risk, high-reward bullpen option for the Tigers down the stretch and into the postseason. If not, Tigers fans can expect this to be another (far less expensive) Alex Cobb situation.

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