Kyle

Finnegan

11 days after being agreed to, Finnegan’s contract is finally official. He’s become accustomed to closing with the Nats, but he’ll probably do more setting up for the Tigers with both Kenley Jansen and Will Vest in the fold.

Detroit continues fortifying their high-leverage mix with Jansen joining Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest as ninth-inning options for manager A.J. Hinch. The 38-year-old veteran enters next season just 24 saves shy of the 500 mark after converting 29 chances to accompany a strong 2.59 ERA — 3.98 FIP — and 24.4 percent strikeout rate across 59 innings for the Angels this past season. It’s a phenomenal landing spot from a fantasy perspective as Jansen projects as the clear favorite to handle closing duties with Finnegan and Vest positioned as contingency plans rather than true competition.

Finnegan returns to the Motor City after a dominant post-deadline stint in which he posted a microscopic 1.50 ERA (1.97 FIP) and a 34.8 percent strikeout rate across 18 innings over 16 appearances. That level of dominance is almost certainly a small-sample outlier compared to his larger career body of work, which includes a strong 3.66 ERA (4.17 FIP) and 108 saves across 329 1/3 innings for the Nationals over a six-year span since 2020. However, Detroit still offers his clearest path to a ninth-inning role — and, by extension, sustained fantasy relevance — as he enters his mid-30s. He’ll presumably have an opportunity to overtake incumbent stopper Will Vest as the Tigers’ primary closer and profiles as a top-20 range option at the position heading into next season.

Finnegan was traded to the Tigers at the deadline last year and emerged as the team’s co-closer, posting a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and 23/4 K/BB ratio in 18 innings while securing four saves. However, he was placed on the IL with an adductor strain at the beginning of September and missed the majority of the month. If he re-signs, he and Will Vest would likely continue as a closer committee in Detroit.

Finnegan made just one rehab appearance, but apparently that was enough. The 34-year-old will return to a high-leverage role with Detroit after missing just under three weeks with adductor strain.

Finnegan, returning from an adductor strain, struck out one and walked one before being lifted. No word yet on whether he’ll make one more rehab appearance or get activated this weekend.

Finnegan figures to be ready to rejoin Detroit’s high-leverage relief mix for the final week of the regular season and should be a full-go in time for the playoffs. The 34-year-old former Nationals closer reeled off 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless frames over 12 appearances for the Tigers after being acquired at the trade deadline prior to hitting the injured list back on September 1.

Finnegan’s return would help bolster Detroit’s high-leverage mix heading into the playoffs. The 34-year-old former Nationals stopper will likely need at least one or two minor league rehab outings before he’s cleared to return for the home stretch. He’s been out since early September recovering from an adductor strain.

Finnegan has been great for the Tigers, striking out 19 in 14 1/3 scoreless innings, so this is a significant loss. Will Vest figures to get most of Detroit’s save chances while Finnegan rests. Tommy Kahnle, who seems to have bounced back lately with his six consecutive scoreless appearances, also figures to have a bigger role at the end of games.

The injury occurred when Finnegan was warming up to potentially pitch in the late stages of Wednesday’s contest. The 33-year-old right-hander may need to undergo imaging to determine if there’s structural damage and a trip to the injured list is necessary. It would be a significant hit to Detroit’s bullpen as the former Nationals closer has been excellent since coming over at the trade deadline.