With the MLB playoffs only weeks away, the Detroit Tigers’ bullpen took a significant hit last week, as veteran relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right adductor strain.
Out of all the moves the Tigers made at the trade deadline in July, the Finnegan acquisition has actually panned out. In 12 relief appearances with the Tigers, the 34-year-old pitcher had a 0.00 ERA and held opponents to a .068 batting average at the plate.
Detroit hopes Rafael Montero and Tommy Kahnle can hold things down in the meantime until Fineegan returns. However, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch could be getting more bullpen help in the form of Paul Sewald.
Paul Sewald Could Become Potential Factor Down the Stretch
The 35-year-old Sewald was also acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for cash considerations. When Detroit traded for Sewald, he was on the 15-day IL for a right shoulder strain (placed on July 15, retroactive on July 12).
Last week, the Tigers sent the veteran hurler on a rehab assignment at High-A West Michigan, where he allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out four batters across two appearances.
After throwing two scoreless appearances at High-A, Detroit moved the veteran up to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday. According to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, A.J. Hinch said that Sewald would pitch one inning and be eligible to come off the 60-day IL on Wednesday.
The right-handed reliever pitched a scoreless inning against Louisville, where he threw 15 pitches, and 10 of those were strikes, per McCosky. If Sewald is throwing strikes and getting guys out, he could give this Tigers’ bullpen an extra lift until Finnegan returns and possibly in the playoffs.
Sewald wasn’t pitching well earlier this season with the Guardians (4.70 ERA/.246 OBA), as he allowed 14 hits and eight earned runs (3 HRs), while striking out 18 in 15.1 innings. However, that goes out the window once he touches down in the Motor City.
We can't forget that Sewald also has playoff experience, which was a mixed bag of results with the Arizona Diamondbacks (5.40 ERA) in 2023. Having a veteran reliever with postseason experience could be useful down the stretch, though, regardless of how things played out in 2023.
If he has a few good relief appearances, then maybe Hinch puts him on the playoff roster. But first things first, he has to get activated off the injured list and into a major league game.