The Detroit Tigers’ bullpen depth is down one player.
Right-handed reliever Jason Foley — the Tigers’ closer in the 2024 season who racked up 28 saves — underwent season-ending right shoulder surgery, manager A.J. Hinch announced May 13. The procedure occurred roughly one week ago.
The 29-year-old is under contract for $3.15 million but never pitched for the Tigers in 2025, making his only six appearances this season in Triple-A Toledo after getting slashed from Opening Day roster contention.
He has been injured since mid-April.
“As you would imagine, he’s frustrated with the result, but determined to come back better than ever,” Hinch said of Foley’s season-ending surgery. “He’s going to want to forget 2025, and rightfully so, because he very much was going to be a part of building this season successfully.”
In 2024, Foley had a 3.15 ERA with 20 walks and 46 strikeouts across 60 innings in 69 relief appearances. His struggles in 2025 spring training led to the loss of his roster spot, as he posted a 6.14 ERA across 7⅓ innings in camp.
Foley owns a 3.16 ERA with 35 saves over 199⅔ innings in his four-year MLB career, spanning 210 games. He has a reputation for throwing 97 mph sinkers that induce ground balls, but his whiff and strikeout rates are below average.
“I feel for him,” Hinch said. “I love him as a competitor and know that he’ll attack his rehab the only way he knows how.”
[ MUST LISTEN: Make “Days of Roar” your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]
Returning next week? Jake Rogers joins Matt Vierling on rehab assignment
Catcher Jake Rogers (left oblique strain) began his rehab assignment May 13 with Triple-A Toledo, joining rehabbing outfielder Matt Vierling (right shoulder strain) on the Mud Hens.
Both players could return to the Tigers on May 19.
“The timing is really when he’s ready,” Hinch said of Rogers beginning his rehab assignment. “It’s why we don’t put dates on anything. When these guys get injured, we treat the symptoms and get them back up and running.”
Rogers, 30, hasn’t played in a game since April 7 in the fourth series of the regular season; Vierling, 28, hasn’t played since Feb. 23 in the second game of spring training.
Rogers is expected to be a catcher-only throughout his rehab assignment, meaning he likely won’t appear as the designated hitter. Vierling, who has been limited to outfield so far, is expected to begin playing third base as soon as May 14, thus mirroring his role with the Tigers.
Other injury updates: Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, Alex Cobb
• Center fielder Parker Meadows (right upper arm inflammation) is making significant progress in his recovery from a musculocutaneous nerve issue that has sidelined him since Feb. 22, the first game of spring training. On May 12, Meadows increased the intensity of his throws during catch play. No timeline has been set, but he seems to be trending toward a rehab assignment that could begin in approximately 10 days. Although he’s eligible to be activated May 26 from the injured list, a return to the Tigers seems more likely in mid-to-late June. Position players can spend a maximum of 20 days on rehab assignment.
• Outfielder Wenceel Pérez (lumbar spine inflammation) plans to begin a rehab assignment May 15 with High-A West Michigan — pending a final test May 14 that includes throwing to bases and running the baes. The 25-year-old switch-hitter has been more effective from the left side of the plate, which could provide a timely boost for the Tigers as they’re in the midst of facing about 20 right-handed pitchers in a three-week stretch.
• Right-hander Alex Cobb (right hip inflammation) completed a bullpen session May 12 following a live batting practice session May 9. Here’s the situation: The 37-year-old looks sharp with all of his pitches — including his fastball velocity — but he’s having trouble moving comfortably, which was evident when he looked uncomfortable covering first base during his live batting practice session. His next step remains unclear, but he can’t keep throwing bullpens forever.
#Tigers medical update: Catcher Jake Rogers (left oblique strain) is starting a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo. pic.twitter.com/ie9dGwgi4A
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show “Days of Roar” every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
Order your copy of “Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!” by the Free Press at Tigers125.PictorialBook.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers reliever Jason Foley undergoes shoulder surgery, will miss rest of season
Reporting by Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
