Flaherty's Early Exit
Detroit Tigers' Jack Flaherty exits game early with lower leg discomfort
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Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty left Friday night's game against the Cleveland Guardians after just three innings with left leg discomfort, raising fresh concerns about a rotation that has been battered by injuries all season. The Facts reported that Flaherty threw 63 pitches, allowed two runs on three hits with one walk and one strikeout, before being pulled in the fourth inning.
Reliever Jacob Waguespack, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers just two days earlier, stepped in to replace Flaherty. The Tigers entered the game at 29-40, already fighting to stay relevant in the AL Central, according to Sports Illustrated.
Flaherty's 2026 Season Was Already a Struggle
Before Friday's exit, Flaherty was having one of the worst seasons of his career. The 30-year-old held a 1-7 record with a 5.31 ERA through 15 starts and 62.1 innings pitched, per Athlon Sports. He struck out 77 batters — solid numbers — but gave up hard contact at an alarming rate.
Flaherty is in the second year of a deal worth $45 million total. He exercised a $20 million player option for 2026 after earning $25 million in 2025, according to RotoWire. Analysts at RotoWire noted the leg injury may explain the mechanical inconsistencies he showed earlier this season.
Waguespack Steps In as a High-Risk Band-Aid
The Tigers selected Waguespack from Triple-A Toledo on June 12 after acquiring him from Milwaukee for cash. His Triple-A ERA stood at 1.66, but his major league career ERA sits at 5.11, per MLB Trade Rumors. He had not appeared in a big league game since 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Waguespack also posted a 16.5% walk rate in Triple-A this year alongside a 36% strikeout rate — a risky profile for a pitcher entering a high-pressure situation. Columnists at Motor City Bengals called the move "dumpster diving" rather than a real fix for the rotation.
Rotation Chaos Deepens as Skubal Returns
The Tigers already had roughly $60 million in salary sitting on the Injured List, including Justin Verlander (hip inflammation) and Jackson Jobe (Tommy John surgery), according to FanGraphs. Ace Tarik Skubal was scheduled to return from the IL on June 13, with Casey Mize set to follow on June 14.
Manager A.J. Hinch was expected to give a full update on Flaherty after a June 13 morning meeting with trainers. FOX Sports reported Hinch had previously said the team was "on the verge of a rotation shakeup" as his top arms returned. If Flaherty lands on the IL, Keider Montero is the likely next man up, per Athlon Sports.
Injury Could Kill Flaherty's Trade Value at Deadline
The timing is brutal for Detroit's front office. Flaherty was considered one of the team's top trade chips ahead of the July deadline. ESPN reported that the Tigers are widely expected to be sellers this summer. A leg injury — depending on severity — could destroy his market value entirely.
Some analysts offered a cautious optimism. The diagnosis was "discomfort" rather than a structural tear, and with Skubal and Mize returning, the team may survive a short absence, according to Sports Illustrated. But the "realist" camp, led by voices at Motor City Bengals, views this as the final sign that the 2026 Tigers season is already lost.
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