Alex

Lange

That’s three saves in four days for Lange, all of them taking at least 20 pitches to get three outs. He threw 28 while giving up a double and hitting a batter today. There’s certainly no comfort to be had with Lange closing, given his wildness. He’s also already surrendered10 barrels this season, but since only two have turned into homers, he has a respectable 4.03 ERA. He’ll probably keep getting save chances until he blows at least one, but he shouldn’t be available Sunday. Maybe Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg will be the choice then.

Lange was called upon after the Royals scored twice in the top half of the ninth inning to take a two-run lead. He made things interesting, allowing a leadoff single to Victor Caratini and a two-out walk to Byron Buxton to put the tying runs on base, but battled back to get Brooks Lee on a ground ball to second base to end the ballgame. It’s his second save in the last three days and could signal that he could be the favorite for save chances going forward with Lucas Erceg continuing to struggle.

Lange allowed one hit and one walk as the Royals edged the Reds, 5-2. Lucas Erceg has struggled mightily as Kansas City’s closer lately, so there’s opportunity in this bullpen. Left-hander Daniel Lynch IV has been the team’s most effective reliever, but he worked the eighth before Lange entered. Lange had 26 saves for the Tigers back in 2023, but it would be a surprise if he fully took the role from here on out.

No word on the exact financial terms. It didn’t take Lange long to find a new opportunity after being released earlier this week by the division-rival Tigers. The 30-year-old former stopper recorded a 26-save campaign back in 2023 before injuries limited him to just 22 appearances over the past two seasons. His past high-leverage experience makes him an intriguing low-risk flier for Kansas City’s bullpen mix.

Lange went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last week and will test the free agent waters. The 30-year-old former closer made just one relief appearance for the Tigers this past season and was limited to just 23 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level due to lat issues.

Lange saved 26 games for the Tigers in 2023, but wildness got him sent back to the minors in 2024 and he missed much of last season with a lat strain. When healthy, he pitched one scoreless inning for the Tigers and amassed a 4.63 ERA and a 29/14 K/BB in 23 1/3 innings for Triple-A Toledo. He does have one option year left, so that might make it a little more likely that he gets claimed on waivers.

Lange returns to the minors after making his long-awaited return to the big leagues earlier this week. The 29-year-old righty missed the opening four-plus months of the season due to lat issues.

Lange will be making his season debut when he gets into a contest after missing the opening four-plus months of the season due to lat issues. The 29-year-old former closer notched 23 saves during the 2023 campaign. He figures to pitch in middle relief given the state of Detroit’s loaded bullpen.

Lange has been shut down from throwing after experiencing mild lat tightness following his latest rehab outing. The 29-year-old underwent surgery last June and figures to be ready to return at some point in the second half. There should be a clearer return timetable once he’s back throwing again.

It was almost exactly a year ago that Lange suffered the lat tear he’s struggled to come back from. The former closer could help the Tigers pen in the second half if he proves healthy and able to throw strikes.