The Detroit Tigers‘ best reliever is healthy again.
Right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan has been activated from the injured list Friday, Sept. 19, for the first of three games against the Atlanta Braves at Comerica Park, recovering from a right adductor strain. To open a roster spot, the Tigers optioned left-handed reliever Bailey Horn to Triple-A Toledo.
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Finnegan hasn’t pitched for the Tigers since Aug. 31.
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Detroit Tigers pitcher Kyle Finnegan (64) delivers a pitch against Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit in Monday, August 4, 2025.
In 2025, Finnegan owns a 3.21 ERA with 17 walks and 51 strikeouts across 53â…“ innings in 52 relief appearances, including 14â…“ scoreless innings in 12 games since the Tigers acquired him from the Washington Nationals at the July 31 trade deadline.
For the Nationals, Finnegan registered a 4.38 ERA with 14 walks (8.6% walk rate) and 32 strikeouts (19.6% strikeout rate) across 39 innings in 40 games. For the Tigers, he has posted a 0.00 ERA with three walks (6.1% walk rate) and 19 strikeouts (38.8% strikeout rate) across 14â…“ innings in 12 games.
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He has four of his 24 saves for the Tigers.
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In his journey to full health, Finnegan completed his first bullpen session Sept. 13 and pitched in the first (and only) game of his rehab assignment Thursday for Triple-A Toledo.
Finnegan faced three batters in Thursday’s rehab game, throwing 13 pitches.
He retired two batters and registered a strikeout, but he issued a walk. His fastball averaged 97 mph, and his splitter generated one whiff on two swings.
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kyle Finnegan injury update: Reliever returns to Detroit Tigers