Tigers' trade deadline acquisition about to provide much-needed pitching staff help

The Detroit Tigers' bullpen took a massive hit last week when Kyle Finnegan landed on the 15-day Injured List with a right adductor strain. Easily Detroit's most impactful acquisition at the 2025 trade deadline, Finnegan has posted a 0.00 ERA and held opponents to a .068 batting average through 12 relief appearances for the Tigers.

But the Tigers got some positive news this week – not only on Finnegan, but on another injured reliever who has yet to pitch for the organization this season – that could bolster their bullpen depth in a big way as they gear up for October.

Detroit also acquired reliever Paul Sewald from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline this season, even though he was on the 60-day IL with a right shoulder strain, with the hope that he would return to full health in time to help the Tigers with their playoff push. Now, Sewald is just one more minor league rehab appearance away from that hope becoming a reality.

Paul Sewald, Kyle Finnegan nearing return dates to give Tigers much-needed pitching boost

Tigers manager AJ Hinch told reporters (including Chris McCosky of the Detroit News) earlier this week that Sewald would make one more rehab appearance this weekend at Triple-A Toledo. In his third rehab outing on Wednesday, he pitched a scoreless inning with 15 pitches and 10 strikes.

“He’s been through this before,” Hinch said (via McCosky). “He got hurt in Cleveland and he had four [rehab] outings before he came back to the big leagues and then he pitched in four of seven days right away [before going back on the IL]."

Based on his history, it's understandable why the Tigers are exercising a more cautious approach with Sewald. His outing at Toledo this weekend could be the final hurdle he has to clear before he joins the Major League squad.

Finnegan, meanwhile, plans to throw a bullpen session this weekend in Miami. Whether he will need a minor league rehab assignment remains to be seen. Regardless, all signs point to the Tigers getting a pair of major bullpen reinforcements in a matter of days – and they certainly need all the help they can get.

Most importantly, if Sewald can play some sort of impactful role down the stretch and in the postseason, Scott Harris' trade deadline won't look as bad as many believed it was.