Three Detroit Tigers Pitchers Competing For Vacant Bullpen Spots
The Detroit Tigers have their starting rotation set with Eduardo Rodriguez, Matthew Boyd, and Michael Lorenzen being guaranteed spots, while Spencer Turnbull and Matt Manning have the potential to fill the remaining spots, as long as they can stay healthy.
In the bullpen, the Tigers have kept several pitchers from last year's successful unit, including Jose Cisnero, Alex Lange, Jason Foley, Will Vest, and lefty Tyler Alexander.
That leaves at least three vacancies in the bullpen, and good candidates to fill those spots are Beau Brieske, Joey Wentz, and Garrett Hill.
Brieske made 15 starts for the Tigers last year and posted a pedestrian 4.19 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP. However, with the return of Eduardo Rodriguez, Matthew Boyd, and Spencer Turnbull, Brieske is likely to be pushed into a relief role. He could still make a case to start again at some point this season.
Beau Brieske is currently in First Place for one of the more unconventional pitching workouts/warm-ups I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/kBDTUWV2W7
— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) February 16, 2023
Wentz made seven starts for Detroit last year and posted a solid 3.03 ERA. As previously mentioned, with the return of Turnbull and Boyd, along with the addition of Lorenzen, the twenty-five-year-old doesn't seem to have a shot at landing a spot in the rotation.
That being said, he could serve as long reliever and will provide some extra insurance if a starter goes down with injury.
Jason Foley and Joey Wentz. #Tigers pic.twitter.com/OscWNLDIUn
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) February 14, 2023
Garrett Hill could be in line to start the year in Detroit's bullpen.
The rookie made eight starts and nine relief appearances for the Tigers last year, posting a 4.03 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across 60.1 total innings.
Garrett Hill, Alex Lange, Mason Englert, Eduardo Rodriguez and Matt Manning. #Tigers pic.twitter.com/ftbayQVcZd
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) February 18, 2023
Hill pitched well enough last season to earn a look in relief, and starting isn't out of the question at some point this season.
Overall, it remains to be seen who will fill the three vacancies in the bullpen, but Brieske, Wentz, and Hill are good bets heading into spring training. Photo Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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