Will Vest IL stint opens the door for Tigers' reunion as former reliever departs Reds

The timing isn’t ideal for the Detroit Tigers — but it might be oddly convenient.

When right-hander Will Vest landed on the injured list with right forearm inflammation, it created a very real need in Detroit's bullpen. And in a twist that feels almost too neat, a familiar name just hit the open market at the same time: Andrew Chafin.

Vest’s absence leaves a noticeable void in a bullpen that leaned heavily on him in 2025. The command issues — an elevated walk rate and a 6.17 ERA — now look less like regression and more like a pitcher trying to navigate discomfort.

Still, the result is the same: Detroit suddenly needs reliable innings, and preferably from someone who doesn’t require a long adjustment period. Enter Chafin, who just opted out of his minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

At 35, Chafin isn't the overpowering arm teams dream of in May. The velocity is down — sitting in the high-80s — and the walk rates in Triple-A this season won’t inspire universal confidence. But betting against Chafin because he doesn’t light up radar guns has been a losing proposition for years.

Since 2021, he owns a 3.03 ERA across multiple contenders, pairing a deceptive delivery with swing-and-miss ability and enough ground-ball contact to escape trouble. Even last season, when his fastball dipped below 90 mph, he still managed a 2.41 ERA in the majors. The profile hasn’t changed much — and neither has the effectiveness.

Andrew Chafin reunion could be temporary, low-risk solution for Tigers team seeking bullpen depth

Chafin isn’t just a theoretical solution for Detroit. He’s a known one. He’s pitched under A.J. Hinch, thrived in this clubhouse, and handled a variety of roles — late innings, matchup spots, even high-leverage bridges. There’s no guesswork in how he’d be used or how he’d respond.

The Tigers don’t need to reinvent their bullpen. They just need to stabilize it, and Chafin represents a low-risk way to do exactly that.

A minor-league deal with an opt-out is likely all it takes — the same structure he just exercised with Cincinnati. If the command tightens even slightly, you’re looking at a veteran who can immediately slot into meaningful innings. If it doesn’t, the cost is negligible.

But the upside? It’s familiarity, dependability, and a track record of getting outs when it matters.

Detroit is walking a tightrope in 2026 — balancing a rising core, payroll considerations and postseason aspirations. Losing Vest, even temporarily, tests that depth. Standing pat would be a gamble. Reuniting with Chafin wouldn’t be.

Sometimes the best move isn’t flashy. It’s the one you’ve already seen work. And right now, the Tigers have an opportunity to bring back a reliever who has done exactly that — just as they need him most.

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