The Detroit Tigers are one of the top teams in the American League, and after the trade deadline, their bullpen was a huge reason why. While other teams landed top-tier talent, the Tigers instead threw multiple darts at the board. One hit the bullseye.
Kyle Finnegan has been one of the best relievers in baseball since the trade deadline. But, near the beginning of September, Finnegan suffered an adductor strain, which landed him on the injured list.
He's missed some time, but as Chris McCoskey of The Detroit News reports, the progression in Finnegan's recovery is going well, and the Tigers reliever is on track to throw a bullpen over the weekend.
Tigers' Kyle Finnegan's injury recovery is progressing well
"He's running full out." McCoskey writes. "He's only throwing off flat ground, but he's not babying any throws. He looks, frankly, like a good argument for a more flexible minimum stay on the injured list pitchers."
These comments from McCoskey paint a positive picture for the Tigers' trade deadline pickup. While he's still going to miss some time, as he can't return until September 16th, Finnegan's progression is going well so far.
For Finnegan, even though he's working towards a return, he isn't getting ahead of himself.
"As far as a timeline, I don't really know the end date," Finnegan said. "I'm just completing my daily rehab, and the throwing has been going well. Just doing all the required steps and everything has been really good."
The next step in Finnegan's recovery is a bullpen session, throwing off a normal mound instead of flat ground like he has been lately. As McCoskey writes, "Finnegan hopes to do that this weekend in Miami."
Finnegan returning to the Tigers' bullpen would be a huge boost to the Tigers' postseason chances to either clinch the division, a first-round bye, or even the top spot in the American League.
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Since coming to Detroit, Finnegan has not allowed a single earned run in 14.1 innings pitched. He has four saves, a 3-0 record, one hold, and has allowed three hits and three walks compared to 19 strikeouts.
Before coming to Detroit, he had a 4.38 ERA in 40 appearances with a 1-4 record and 20 saves with 32 strikeouts and 14 walks in 39 innings pitched.
This turnaround has been huge for the Tigers, as the team was in desperate need of a strong back-end of the bullpen closer. He and Will Vest combine to make a strong duo in the late innings, and his absence is a tough one for the Tigers.
But with this report from McCoskey, the Tigers are expected to ramp up Finnegan's workload as he works back from an adductor strain. Finnegan is a huge piece of the Tigers' postseason chances, and this report is some good news towards his eventual return.
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