In a move that sent ripples through the Tigers' clubhouse, manager A.J. Hinch handed the ball to Kyle Finnegan for the ninth-inning save opportunity Thursday against the Atlanta Braves—a clear signal that changes may be brewing in Detroit's bullpen.
The decision came less than 24 hours after closer Kenley Jansen suffered his third blown save in nine chances during Wednesday night's 4-3 loss. Jansen surrendered a two-run homer to Matt Olson in the ninth, leaving the Tigers and their fans searching for answers.
Hinch turned to Finnegan despite the right-hander having thrown 29 pitches in the eighth inning just one day prior. But Finnegan delivered, navigating around a one-out single by Mike Yastrzemski to secure his first save of the season in Detroit's 5-2 comeback victory.
"We're pretty beat up in the pen," Hinch explained. "We're going through a couple things... We've said we're going to go different ways. I'm trying to stay smart with these quick turnarounds."
The numbers tell a stark story. Jansen, who ranks third all-time with 482 saves and signed an $11 million, one-year deal in December, has struggled to a 6.14 ERA across 10 games while serving up three home runs. Meanwhile, Finnegan has been nearly untouchable with a 0.57 ERA and just one homer allowed in 15 appearances.
"I thought he threw the ball well last night," Hinch said of Finnegan. "He probably could have had a punch-out looking back at it instead of a walk."
Finnegan, 34, brings considerable closing experience to the role. He recorded 20 or more saves in three straight seasons with Washington from 2023-25 and added four more for Detroit last year. His 112 career saves give Hinch a reliable option as the bullpen navigates this transition.
Thursday's save carried extra weight beyond the box score. It helped Detroit improve to 16-16, avoid a three-game sweep, and regain a share of the AL Central lead. The Tigers rallied from a 2-0 deficit behind Drew Anderson's two scoreless innings and a sharp outing from left-hander Framber Valdez, who allowed just two hits over six frames while retiring his final 10 batters.
"I thought he got better and better as the day went on," Hinch said of Valdez. "He settled in nicely. The changeup was very good today."
As the Tigers continue their push for division supremacy, all eyes will be on how Hinch manages the ninth inning moving forward—and whether Finnegan's emergence signals a permanent shift in Detroit's late-inning hierarchy.