Alex

Lange

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.

Lange probably won’t be ready to return when eligible in late May. The former Detroit closer hasn’t pitched since last June.

It’s merely a procedural move since Lange was likely to miss time at the outset of the season recovering from a torn lat that he suffered last June at Triple-A Toledo.

Harris refused to endorse an official timetable, but it sounds like there’s optimism Lange could potentially be ready for the start of next season. The 29-year-old righty, who served as Detroit’s closer for the majority of the 2023 season, suffered a torn lat in mid-June while pitching for Triple-A Toledo, which ended his season. There should be some clarity on his status once spring training kicks off.