Miami – Tigers’ reliever Kyle Finnegan, who has been on the injured list with an adductor strain since Sept. 1, is eligible for activation as early as Tuesday.
And that would certainly line up nicely as the Tigers start a three-game set with their nearest chaser in the division, the Cleveland Guardians.
But that might be a tad too soon.
“He’s still going to need to throw another bullpen at some point,” manager AJ Hinch said.
Finnegan threw off the mound for the first time here Saturday, 18 pitches, full arsenal, max-effort and came away greatly encouraged.
“As for the next step, I’m not totally sure what it is yet,” said Finnegan, who felt no residual soreness Sunday. “Everything went better than expected yesterday so I think we’re reassessing where we’re at. Figuring out if we need to push it or use the time we have to our advantage.
“But physically, everything feels great.”
Hinch, typically, prefers pitchers make at least one rehab outing. But the Triple-A season is winding down. The Mud Hens finish the season next week with a six-game series in Des Moines, Iowa.
Another option, in lieu of a rehab outing, would be for Finnegan to throw a live bullpen, facing Tigers hitters in a controlled environment at Comerica Park.
“I think we’re in a good spot where we’ve exceeded expectations in terms of the recovery,” Finnegan said. “We’re trying to balance letting me play when I’m healthy but also not pushing it too quickly.”
Finnegan, acquired at the trade deadline from the Nationals, has not allowed a run in 14.1 innings with the Tigers.
Around the horn
Kerry Carpenter slugged his 25th home run Saturday night. Since he’s come back off the injured list on July 27, he’s posted an .884 OPS and slugged .560. The homer came against Miami right-hander Janson Junk. Carpenter, since the start of 2024, has a .574 slugging percentage against righties. That’s the third-highest mark in baseball. Only Shohei Ohtani (.689) and Aaron Judge (.670) have been better against righties (minimum 500 plate appearances).
… Carpenter and Riley Greene (34 homers) are the first pair of Tigers’ left-handed hitters to hit 25 or more homers in a season since Darrell Evans (34) and Matt Nokes (32) did it in 1987.
… Speaking of Greene, he has joined Hall-of-Famer Hank Greenberg as the only Tigers age 24 or younger to amass 31 doubles, 34 homers and 108 RBI in a single season. Greenberg, in 1935, produced 46 doubles, 36 homers and 168 RBI.
… Before he was punched out with the bases loaded in the 10th inning Saturday, Dillon Dingler was slashing .300/.396/.456 with two doubles, two triples, two homers and 38 RBI with runners in scoring position.
@cmccosky
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