Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have designated left-hander Tyler Alexander for assignment. (Source: Tigers PR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Alexander finished the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list with a lat issue and was designated for assignment by the club after being activated following the season. The southpaw posted a 4.450 ERA in 25 appearances last season and owns a career 4.38 ERA across 120 appearances (43 starts) with the Tigers in parts of five seasons.

The Detroit Tigers have exercised their $3.5 million club option for the 2024 season on catcher Carson Kelly. (Source: Tigers PR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kelly was cut loose by the D-backs mid-season and continued to struggle with the Tigers. He hit just .173 with one homer in 59 plate appearances with Detroit but his solid defense and lack of big-league-ready catching options in Detroit has led to the club picking up its option on the veteran backstop.

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez has opted into the final four years and $98 million of his contract with the club. (Source: Talkin' Baseball on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Baez signed a six-year, $144 million deal with the Tigers that included an opt out after two seasons with the club prior to the 202 season but he has struggled in his brief time in Detroit. The decision comes as little surprise considering Baez is coming off a season that saw him hit just .222 with nine home runs across 136 games in the 2023 season.

Eduardo Rodriguez has opted out of his contract with the Tigers and will become a free agent. (Source: Jon Heyman on X)

Fantasy Impact: Rodriguez had three years and $49 million left on his deal and will test free agency in search of a better deal. A return to the Tigers is not off the table, but it's also possible that he will have a new home in 2024. He had a 3.30 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9 ion 152.2 innings in 2023.

Jake Rogers returns to the lineup for the Detroit Tigers against the Cleveland Guardians Sunday. (Source: Detroit Tigers on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Rogers is back after sitting out for general rest Saturday, starting behind the plate at catcher and batting ninth against the Guardians for manager AJ Hinch Sunday.

Joey Wentz had a rough outing on Friday, allowing 7 earned runs on 8 hits and 3 walks in just 2.1 innings pitched against the Cleveland Guardians.

Fantasy Impact: With this performance, Wentz's season ERA rose to 6.90, further damaging his fantasy value. His 1.68 WHIP and 5.61 FIP also indicate ongoing struggles, making him a risky option for fantasy managers heading into next season.

Zach McKinstry had a solid performance in Friday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, despite the Detroit Tigers ultimately falling short with a final score of 7-5.

Fantasy Impact: McKinstry went 1-for-4 at the plate, driving in two runs with a home run. This performance brings his season RBI total to 35. Although his batting average sits at .230 for the season, McKinstry has shown some power with nine home runs and has been a contributor on the basepaths with 16 stolen bases.

Torkelson's season-long power surge continues, as he adds another home run to his impressive total of 31. He went 2-for-5 with a solo home run Friday.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a modest batting average, Torkelson's ability to drive in runs and provide pop in the lineup makes him a valuable fantasy asset in power-hitting categories. Owners should continue to rely on Torkelson's home run potential down the stretch and in the 2024 season.

Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo is back in the starting lineup Wednesday versus the Royals. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Baddoo didn't start on Tuesday but entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and launched a solo homer to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead in an eventual 6-3 win. He has had an inconsistent season in hitting just .216 but has some pop and speed with 11 homers and 12 steals in 346 trips to the plate.

Reese Olson turned in a solid performance on Tuesday, striking out seven batters over 5.2 innings against the Royals.

Fantasy Impact: Despite allowing five hits and two walks, Olson limited the damage to just one earned run. Unfortunately, he was unable to secure the win as the Tigers ultimately prevailed 6-3. Looking at Olson's season-long numbers, he has started 18 games and currently sports a 3.99 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP. His 8.9 K/9 and 3.12 strikeout-to-walk ratio indicate a decent level of control and effectiveness on the mound. While his win-loss record stands at 5-7, Olson's overall performance suggests that he can be a reliable fantasy option down the stretch.

Tigers infielder Zack Short is out of the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Royals. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Short started at second base and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in his club's 2-0 win over the A's on Sunday but will hit the bench to begin a series with the Royals on Tuesday. The glove-first infielder is hitting just .205 with seven homers and five stolen bases across 249 plate appearances on the season.

Tigers third baseman/designated hitter Tyler Nevin is not in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Royals. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Nevin went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before being lifted for a pinch-hitter Sunday in Oakland and will take a seat Tuesday in Detroit. Nevin has enjoyed a nice season in the minors but has hit just .193 with one homer in 37 games with the Tigers.

Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter is back in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Royals. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Carpenter got a rare day off on Sunday against the A's but will return to hit cleanup and play right field on Tuesday. It's been a bg season for the former 19th-round pick who is hitting .288 with 20 homers, five steals, and an .838 OPS across 112 games played.

Alex Lange made a strong impact in Sunday's game against the Athletics, recording a save while pitching 1 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball.

Fantasy Impact: Lange allowed just one hit and did not issue any walks, showcasing his ability to control the game. With two strikeouts, Lange also demonstrated his effectiveness as a strikeout pitcher. This performance adds to Lange's solid season, where he has been a reliable option out of the bullpen for the Tigers, recording 25 saves and a 3.84 ERA in 64 games prior to this outing. Fantasy managers can continue to rely on Lange for saves and solid ratios moving forward.

Miguel Cabrera is back in the lineup for the Detroit Tigers against the Oakland Athletics Sunday. (Source: Detroit Tigers on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Cabrera returns for the series finale after sitting out for routine rest Saturday, occupying the designated hitter spot and batting cleanup for manager AJ Hinch against the Athletics Sunday.

Parker Meadows is back in the lineup for the Detroit Tigers against the Oakland Athletics Saturday. (Source: Detroit Tigers on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Meadows returns after sitting out Friday night for routine rest, patrolling center field and batting seventh for manager AJ Hinch against the Athletics Saturday.

Sawyer Gipson-Long had a solid outing against the Athletics, allowing four hits and three walks over five innings, resulting in one earned run.

Fantasy Impact: Despite the no-decision, Gipson-Long's season stats remain impressive, with a 2.40 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 12.0 K/9 rate. His 3.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 2.70 FIP also indicate continued success going forward. While this game may have been a bump in the road, fantasy managers could look at Gipson-Long as a potential asset for next season.

Tarik Skubal continued his impressive rookie campaign, shutting down the Athletics over seven scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and one walk.

Fantasy Impact: The left-hander's 10 strikeouts showcased his ability to miss bats, further solidifying his status as a strikeout artist with an impressive 11.1 K/9 on the season. With a 2.95 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP, Skubal has emerged as a reliable fantasy option, and his dominant performance against Oakland only enhances his fantasy value moving forward.

Tigers outfielder Riley Greene will undergo season-ending elbow surgery on Wednesday. (Source: Cody Stavenhagen on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Greene was injured diving for a ball in the outfield in a Sept. 1 game against the White Sox and has recently been seeking additional opinions on his injury. The exact nature of the injury will be determined during the procedure but Greene's season is over after breaking out with a .288 average with 11 home runs, seven stolen bases, and a .796 OPS across 99 games on the season.

Matt Vierling, who has been a consistent contributor this season, now has 37 RBI in 118 games played, along with a .270 batting average and nine home runs.

Fantasy Impact: While his strikeout rate remains a concern at 0.209, Vierling's ability to drive in runs makes him a valuable asset in fantasy baseball leagues.