Will

Vest

With Alex Lange and Jason Foley pitching in three of the last four games, Vest was tasked with closing out the game with a three-run lead in the eighth. He replaced Miguel Diaz with one out and a runner on. A double and a groundout brought a run in for the Dodgers, but Vest was able to escape the inning. He remained in for the ninth, striking out two batters for his second save of the season.

Vest entered the tenth inning with a precious one-run lead Saturday night in Anaheim. The pressure didn’t seem to phase him as he struck out two and allowed one hit to pick up his first save since May 2022. Alex Lange and Jason Foley are ahead of him on the depth chart and pitched earlier in the game, so don’t expect Vest to get too many more save opportunities.

The 28-year-old right-hander has been shelved since the end of June due to a right lower leg strain. Prior to landing on the injured list, he had registered a 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 32/9 K/BB ratio across 29 2/3 innings. Chasen Shreve was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Vest was pulled from Tuesday’s game in the second inning — after taking over for the injured Matthew Boyd (elbow) — due to the leg issue. Fortunately for Vest, it sounds like he should only miss a couple of weeks before being cleared to return to the Tigers’ bullpen. Anthony Misiewicz was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move prior to Tuesday’s game.

He’s likely to undergo additional testing on Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury. It’s looking increasingly likely that both Matthew Boyd and Vest may wind up on the injured list after leaving Tuesday’s game — adding to an already lengthy list of injured hurlers for the Tigers.

Yikes. Vest came on to replace the injured Matthew Boyd with two outs in the first inning. He got three outs himself before succumbing to a leg injury — either a hamstring or a calf on his right leg. He’ll head for further evaluation to determine the severity of the issue. At this rate, the Tigers won’t have enough pitchers to finish Monday’s game.

It’ll be a bullpen game on Sunday for the Tigers with Vest drawing the starting assignment. Detroit will hand the ball to rookie Reese Olson for Monday’s series opener against the Royals.

The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in 59 games out of the Tigers’ bullpen during the 2022 season -- registering a 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 63/22 K/BB ratio over 63 innings. He’ll give manager A.J. Hinch another option in the middle innings while Trey Wingenter (shoulder) is sidelined.

Vest gives the Tigers some extra relief depth heading into Tuesday’s twin bill against the division-rival Guardians. The 27-year-old righty made 59 appearances (two starts) last year in his Tigers debut, finishing with a 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 63/22 K/BB ratio across 63 innings of work.

Vest did manage a pair of strikeouts during his short time on the mound, but he also walked two and plunked Dylan Moore with the bases loaded in what was an uninspiring overall showing. In 59 appearances with the big league club this season, the 27-year-old reliever holds a 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 63/22 K/BB ratio.