The Detroit Tigers' bullpen is navigating choppy waters early this season, and all eyes are on veteran closer Kenley Jansen. Signed to a one-year, $11 million deal last offseason, the 38-year-old future Hall of Famer was expected to lock down the ninth inning with his 482 career saves—third most all-time. But through 10 appearances, Jansen has already blown three saves, a stark contrast to his 2025 campaign with the Los Angeles Angels, where he posted 29 saves with just one blown opportunity.

The struggles came to a head on April 24, when the Cincinnati Reds erased a five-run deficit after a rain delay. The Tigers' bullpen took over following a 1-hour, 49-minute pause, and for the third time in their first 27 games, Detroit lost a game after leading by at least five runs. That's a steep drop-off from 2025, when the Tigers didn't lose a single game after leading by three or more runs.

As a unit, the bullpen entered Friday's series opener against the Texas Rangers with seven blown saves. Yet despite the relief woes, the Tigers (16-16) were tied with the Cleveland Guardians atop the AL Central. The pressure, however, is mounting—especially on Jansen, whose ERA has ballooned to 6.14.

Enter Kyle Finnegan. The 34-year-old right-hander has quietly emerged as a reliable option, posting a 0.57 ERA over 15 games. After throwing 29 pitches the night before, Finnegan got the call to close out a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, earning his first save with Detroit and the 112th of his seven-year career.

"We're pretty beat up in the 'pen," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told the Associated Press. With Jansen struggling and Finnegan stepping up, the Tigers may be quietly auditioning a new closer. For now, the bullpen is closing ranks—and looking for answers.