The Detroit Tigers are about to begin a big series against the Houston Astros. Both teams are leading their respective divisions, and a strong series for both teams would be a great way to further solidify their leads in the AL West and AL Central.
With the Astros coming to town, the Tigers have made a roster move involving their bullpen once again, and this time, it’s an injured veteran set to return to the Majors for the first time since 2024.
According to Evan Woodberry of MLive Media Group, the Tigers are activating Alex Lange from the injured list and optioning Bailey Horn to make room. It’s another move to reshuffle the bullpen, which has seen a lot of change in the last few weeks since the trade deadline.
Appears that RHP Alex Lange is being activated from IL today.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) August 18, 2025
Lange Can Positively Impact Bullpen For Detroit
The Tigers have been without Lange all year, as the veteran pitcher has been on the injured list with a right lat avulsion which he underwent surgery in June of 2024.
After successful rehab appearances, Lange is back in the Majors to help the Tigers lock up the AL Central, and potentially go on a deep postseason run.
He’s taking the place of Horn, a 27-year-old left-handed pitcher who in his five outings with Detroit has a 1.50 ERA across six innings pitched. But, his WHIP of 1.67 shows his lack of runs has been, in part, lucky.
Even so, he’s been a nice piece of the bullpen during his limited action this season, and now, he’s being sent back down to Triple-A with Lange set to make his return for the first time since 2024.
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Lange, before hitting the injured list in 2024, had a 4.34 ERA, 21 strikeouts, and a 1.77 WHIP in 18.2 innings of work. In 2023, he had a 3.68 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP with 79 strikeouts in 66 innings of work.
His best season with the Tigers came in 2022 when he had a 3.41 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, 82 strikeouts, 31 walks, and a 7-4 record in 63.1 innings pitched.
The 29-year-old reliever is back in the Tigers bullpen after over a year out with a right lat issue. He joins an ever-changing bullpen in Detroit, which is finally beginning to clear up, as Kyle Finnegan and Will Vest have combined to form a dynamic duo as closers.
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