Tigers’ Bullpen Reinforcements Loom: How Close Is Alex Lange to Returning Amid Detroit’s Playoff Push?
DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers are holding their breath, and perhaps no one is holding it tighter than manager A.J. Hinch, as the team eyes the return of right-handed reliever Alex Lange, whose absence has left a noticeable gap in late-game leverage situations.
Lange, 28, has been sidelined since early June with a right shoulder strain, a blow to a Tigers bullpen already navigating the rigors of a taxing season. The former closer, who notched 26 saves for Detroit last season, has been progressing through a throwing program in Lakeland, Florida, and is nearing the stage Tigers fans have been waiting for: a rehab assignment.
“Alex has been feeling good, no setbacks, and he’s been throwing bullpens with good intensity,” Hinch told reporters before Thursday’s series finale against the Yankees. “We’re looking at him facing live hitters within the next week, and if all goes well, we can map out when he’ll get into minor league games.”
It’s the kind of update Tigers supporters crave as Detroit, hovering around .500, pushes to stay within striking distance of the AL Central leaders. The bullpen, while scrappy and occasionally brilliant, has shown its limitations without Lange’s wipeout curveball and high-octane energy in late innings.
Lange’s Season Before the Injury: A Study in Adjustments
Before hitting the injured list, Lange’s season was a mixed bag: a 4.63 ERA across 23.1 innings with 27 strikeouts and 19 walks. His command was shaky at times, but his curveball remained one of the nastiest in baseball, generating a 44.7% whiff rate, per Statcast. Opposing hitters were hitting just .178 against the pitch, underscoring why the Tigers miss him in high-leverage situations.
Lange himself was candid about his early-season struggles before the injury.
“It’s about attacking the zone, trusting my stuff,” Lange said in May. “I can’t get into deep counts, and that’s something I’m working on. But I know when I’m on, I can compete with anybody.”
Detroit’s bullpen has leaned on the likes of Jason Foley, Tyler Holton, and Shelby Miller to carry late innings in Lange’s absence, with Foley emerging as the de facto closer. Still, the lack of depth has forced Hinch to stretch certain arms and mix matchups aggressively, a tactic that becomes harder to sustain over the grind of a 162-game season.
What Lange’s Return Would Mean for Detroit’s Bullpen
Lange’s return would allow Hinch to shift Foley into a fireman role, utilizing him in the most critical situations regardless of inning. Lange could reclaim some ninth-inning opportunities, or Hinch could play matchups depending on opponent handedness and swing profiles, a flexibility he has openly embraced in the past.
“Getting Lange back just gives us another guy with swing-and-miss stuff late in games,” pitching coach Chris Fetter said. “It’s not about roles as much as it is about adding another quality arm to handle tough spots.”
Detroit’s bullpen ranks 16th in the majors in ERA (3.89) but 22nd in strikeout rate (21.4%). Lange’s return could immediately boost the strikeout potential of a unit that sometimes leans on soft contact rather than swing-and-miss dominance to escape jams.
The Rehab Timeline: When Could Lange Return?
Barring setbacks, Lange is expected to face hitters in live batting practice within 5-7 days. If that session goes well, the Tigers will schedule a rehab assignment, likely beginning at Triple-A Toledo or Double-A Erie, to test his command and durability.
Typically, relievers require 3-5 rehab appearances to regain game speed, suggesting a potential return to the Tigers by late July or the first week of August. However, the Tigers have indicated they will not rush Lange back, prioritizing his health and ensuring the shoulder issue is fully behind him.
“He’s too important to bring back if he’s not 100% ready,” Hinch emphasized. “But the signs are good, and Alex is pushing to get back as soon as possible.”
Playoff Implications for the Tigers
Detroit entered July within shouting distance of the Guardians in the AL Central, and with the division’s mediocrity, the Tigers remain firmly in the mix if they can string together consistent series wins.
The return of Lange could help stabilize a bullpen that has been forced to cover for inconsistent starting pitching outside of Tarik Skubal’s brilliance and Reese Olson’s steady development. If Detroit remains in the hunt, Lange could also become a critical piece in matchups against divisional rivals down the stretch.
For Lange, the opportunity to rejoin a Tigers team fighting for relevance in a winnable division adds motivation to his rehab process.
“I want to be out there with the guys,” Lange said during a recent radio appearance. “That’s why we do this. The goal is to help this team get to October.”
Bottom Line: The Tigers Need Lange’s Energy and Strikeouts
The Tigers’ path to staying competitive in the AL Central will rely on health, consistency from the rotation, and a bullpen capable of protecting slim leads. Adding Lange back to the mix would give Detroit another strikeout weapon late in games and allow Hinch to deploy his bullpen more strategically.
While there’s no exact date circled on the calendar yet, the momentum is clear: Alex Lange is getting closer, the Tigers need him, and if his shoulder holds up, he could be a difference-maker as Detroit pushes for its first postseason appearance since 2014.
Until then, Tigers fans will watch closely, counting bullpen pitches in Lakeland and waiting for that moment when No. 55 jogs in from the outfield, curveball ready, and the Comerica Park crowd rises with the hope of October once again in the air.