Best thing for Detroit Tigers, Tarik Skubal? Jim Duquette explains
On “Days of Roar,” former general manager Jim Duquette explains what the Detroit Tigers should do with Tarik Skubal in the 2025-26 MLB offseason.
Right-handed reliever Beau Brieske is staying with the Detroit Tigers.
Brieske avoided arbitration with the Tigers on Friday, Nov. 21, by signing a $1.1575 million contract for the 2026 season. The 27-year-old battled underperformance and injuries in 2025.
He was set to enter his second round of salary arbitration, remaining under team control through the 2028 season. Players between three and six years of MLB service time are eligible for arbitration in the offseason.
Brieske earned $1.025 million in 2025, meaning he will receive a $132,500 raise in 2026.
In 2025, Brieske logged a 6.55 ERA with 12 walks and 16 strikeouts across 22 innings in 22 games. He also posted a 9.90 ERA with nine walks and eight strikeouts over 10 innings in nine games for Triple-A Toledo.
The Tigers optioned Brieske to the Triple-A level in mid-June for performance reasons. He struggled to locate his pitches for strikes, resulting in too many walks.
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A right forearm strain that affected his elbow sidelined him in mid-July with the Mud Hens. He didn’t pitch again at any level in 2025, though he hasn’t had surgery for the injury.
As of Nov. 12, Brieske was scheduled to begin an offseason throwing program within the next 10 days. As long as he doesn’t experience any setbacks, he will be healthy for 2026 spring training, which begins in mid-February.
He also dealt with right ankle inflammation in mid-April.Â
The Tigers selected Brieske in the 27th round of the 2019 draft out of Colorado State University-Pueblo, promoting him for his MLB debut in April 2022.
Brieske owns a 4.14 ERA over 206â…“ innings in his four-year MLB career, spanning 108 games (29 starts).
The Tigers avoided arbitration with two other arbitration-eligible players on pre-tender deals:Â outfielder Matt Vierling for $3.255 million and catcher Jake Rogers for $3.05 million.
The other eight arbitration-eligible players with tendered contracts have until Jan. 8 to negotiate salaries with the Tigers, just like Vierling, Rogers and Brieske already did. If the two sides can’t agree, an arbitration hearing will be scheduled.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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