The Detroit Tigers are waiting for right-handed relievers Kyle Finnegan and Paul Sewald to return from the injured list. When healthy, both relievers will work in high-leverage situations in the regular season and the postseason.
They’re coming soon.
Sewald, 35, has been sidelined since July 12 with a right shoulder strain, while Finnegan, 34, has been sidelined since Sept. 1 with a right adductor strain. As for the future, Sewald is closer than Finnegan to returning to the Tigers.
The Tigers acquired Sewald and Finnegan at the July 31 trade deadline, with Sewald from the Cleveland Guardians and Finnegan from the Washington Nationals. Both relievers worked out at Comerica Park on Monday, Sept. 15, during the Tigers’ off day.
There’s a chance Sewald will join the Tigers on Friday, Sept. 19, for the opener of a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Comerica Park.
Sewald was scheduled to pitch in the fifth game − and possibly the final game − of his rehab assignment Tuesday, Sept. 16, with Triple-A Toledo. In his first four games, he allowed one run on two hits and one walk with four strikeouts across four innings.
Once Tuesday’s outing is complete, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Sewald is going to “wait for a phone call from us to see what’s next for him,” which will determine whether his next appearance occurs with the Mud Hens or Tigers.
“He’s doing really well,” Hinch said of Sewald, a nine-year MLB veteran. “It’s a little more developmental than even physical for him. He feels great. He’s bouncing back great.”
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As Sewald prepares to join the Tigers, Finnegan is gearing up to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo. He completed a bullpen session during Monday’s workout at Comerica Park.
“Everything is really, really good,” Hinch said.
Barring any setbacks, Finnegan could return to the Tigers on Sept. 23, for the opener of a three-game series against the Guardians at Progressive Field.
“He’s waiting for the next step,” Hinch said. “I think he’s cleared almost everything that we could have hoped for to be able to get back into the competition. It’s likely to be a rehab assignment, but we haven’t solidified anything.”
In 2025, Sewald has a 4.70 ERA with four walks and 18 strikeouts across 15⅓ innings in 18 games − all with the Guardians. Finnegan owns a 3.21 ERA with 17 walks and 51 strikeouts across 53⅓ innings in 52 games, including 14⅓ scoreless innings with 19 strikeouts since joining the Tigers.
Matt Vierling shut down from rehab assignment
Outfielder/third baseman Matt Vierling (left oblique strain) has been shut down from his rehab assignment in Triple-A Toledo, following one game. The 29-year-old went 0-for-3 with one strikeout Friday, Sept. 12, but he hasn’t played since then.
“Matty is still feeling similar soreness,” Hinch said.
Vierling is undergoing further medical evaluation.
Injuries have limited Vierling to 31 games for the Tigers, hitting .239 with one home run, seven walks and 24 strikeouts. He has been sidelined with a shoulder injury and an oblique injury.
It seems unlikely that Vierling will play for the Tigers until 2026.
“I’ll stop short of saying it’s a setback because I don’t know that yet, but it clearly slowed down our plan for him,” Hinch said. “He’s pretty bummed about it, and he should be. We are too.
“It’s just a matter of getting reevaluated to see what he can tolerate, what we can hope for and where he’s at physically.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers injury updates: What’s the latest on Kyle Finnegan, Paul Sewald?
Reporting by Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
