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Detroit Tigers drop young hitter to make room for bullpen signing

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Detroit Tigers drop young hitter to make room for bullpen signing


DETROIT — When the Detroit Tigers formally added right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan to the roster on Saturday, it prompted a tough decision: Who would get dropped in the corresponding move?

Less than halfway through the winter, the Tigers are running out of easy cuts.

The Tigers elected to designate for assignment Justyn-Henry Malloy, a popular young designated hitter who was consistently excellent in Triple-A and had bursts of success in the big leagues.

Although the Tigers can keep Malloy in their system if he clears waivers, it’s far more likely that he’s claimed or traded in the coming days.

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Finnegan’s contract is a two-year deal worth a guaranteed $19 million.

He’ll earn $8.75 million in 2026 and $8 million in 2027. There’s a mutual option for 2028 worth $10 million that can be bought out for $2.25 million.

Finnegan was acquired by the Tigers from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline and rattled off 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings, striking out 19 and walking just three. After a brief stint on the injured list, he was less effective upon his return in late September, striking out only three of 30 batters he faced in the postseason.

Finnegan, 34, was born in Detroit but grew up in Texas. He had spent his entire big-league career with the Nationals before the trade in July.

Drafted by the Oakland Athletics out of Texas State in 2013, Finnegan never reached the majors in that organization. He signed with Washington as a minor-league free agent before the 2020 season and posted a 3.66 ERA over 329 innings with 108 career saves with the Nats.

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Malloy, who turns 26 in February, hit .322 with a .955 OPS in 329 plate appearances with Toledo in 2025, but never got on track during sporadic big-league opportunities.

Most notably, he hit only one home run in 127 MLB plate appearances in 2025, compared to eight in 230 in 2024.

His lack of power, lack of a defensive position, and the emergence of Jahmai Jones as a right-handed platoon bat all combined to make Malloy expendable.

Malloy’s outfield defense has always been a question mark, so the Tigers gave him extra work at first base in spring training. But the resurgence of Spencer Torkelson closed off any opportunity at that position, and Malloy remained largely a DH and pinch-hitter in 2025.

Malloy was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Joe Jimenez trade after the 2022 season. The New York native was a sixth-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech in 2021.

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TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

Left-handed pitchers (6): Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn, Brant Hurter, Jake Miller, Tarik Skubal, Drew Sommers.

Right-handed pitchers (15): Drew Anderson, Beau Brieske, Kyle Finnegan, Jack Flaherty, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brenan Hanifee, Kenley Jansen, Jackson Jobe, Ty Madden, Troy Melton, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Dylan Smith, Will Vest.

Catchers (4): Dillon Dingler, Thayron Liranzo, Jake Rogers, Eduardo Valencia.

Infielders (9): Javier Báez, Trei Cruz, Jace Jung, Colt Keith, Hao-Yu Lee, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres.

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Outfielders (6): Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Jahmai Jones, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, Matt Vierling.



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Detroit, MI

4 Reasons Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Schedule Is Very Promising

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4 Reasons Detroit Lions 2026 NFL Schedule Is Very Promising


The Detroit Lions schedule is now officially available to review and examine.

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While Dan Campbell’s squad is playing a fourth-place schedule, the ending stretch, which features three division games in four weeks on the road, presents the roster their biggest challenge.

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Early in the season, there are opportunities to secure a handful of victories, as the opponents are coming off disappointing 2025 seasons.

Here are four reasons the Lions 2026 NFL schedule can end up being beneficial to Campbell’s squad.

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Early portion of schedule is favorable

In the first five weeks, the Lions only play one team, the Buffalo Buffalo Bills, that was able to secure a playoff victory last season.

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Detroit opens up against a Saints team that is still in the early phases of a new regime. Campbell should be quite familiar with the Jets and will have the Lions in prime position to take advantage of knowing how Aaron Glenn operates.

The Arizona Cardinals are not favored to win a single game on their 2026 schedule.

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Bills game is early in the season

Typically, it takes NFL teams about three to four games to get fully acclimated at the start of a new season.

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Buffalo will be still learning how new head coach Joe Brady likes to operate in his new role leading the team.

Facing Buffalo in Week 2 should give Detroit an opportunity to take advantage of any early season woes that are inherent when a team hires new coaches and brings in new players.

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Lions have opportunity to win all games at Ford Field this season

Detroit’s first two division games take place at Ford Field. Following an early bye in Week 6, the team faces the Packers and Vikings just before the halfway mark of the season.

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The game against the New England Patriots to set to take place in Germany. Detroit’s home slate features many winnable games and will provide fans the opportunity to celebrate after the conclusion of 60 minutes of action.

Lions road schedule is not daunting outside of division games

Detroit will face their fair share of challenges against division rivals. But when the team packs up their bags and heads on the road, they are favored in the majority of road games.

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The Bills game is the most challenging on paper, as the Lions are also scheduled to face the Falcons, Cardinals, Panthers and Dolphins away from Ford Field.

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For more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, follow us on TikTok, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel

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Detroit Pistons release injury report ahead of Game 7 vs. Cavaliers

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Detroit Pistons release injury report ahead of Game 7 vs. Cavaliers


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Detroit — After staving off elimination Friday night at Rocket Arena, the Detroit Pistons will face the Cleveland Cavaliers at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night, with the series tied 3-3. If the Pistons win Game 7, they will reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2008 and will compete against the New York Knicks.

In preparation, the Pistons released their final injury report for the series, which lists Kevin Huerter, Caris LeVert, and Duncan Robinson as questionable for Game 7. LeVert (right heel contusion) and Robinson (lower back soreness) were listed as questionable ahead of the Pistons’ 115-94 Game 6 victory but played vital roles in the win.

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Robinson returned to the lineup after missing Game 5 Wednesday night, finishing with 14 points while shooting 4-of-7 from behind the arc in 20 minutes. However, he returned from the injury by coming off the bench for the first time this season. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff chose to keep Daniss Jenkins in the starting lineup to assess Robinson’s condition.

Huerter has been listed as questionable for the third time since his return for a left adductor strain that forced him to miss seven consecutive games. He sustained the injury during the Pistons’ first-round series against the Orlando Magic. He played for three minutes in his comeback on Wednesday night but left the game shortly thereafter. Despite being available, Huerter did not play in Game 6.

However, the most significant reveal from the Pistons’ injury report was the noticeable absence of Jalen Duren. The All-Star center rolled his left ankle midway through the third quarter of Game 6 after colliding with Cavaliers guard James Harden.

Bickerstaff substituted Duren immediately for Paul Reed. He made a couple of trips to the locker room, but returned at the start of the fourth quarter. As a result, Duren had his most impactful game of the series, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds and two blocks.

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NBA Playoffs, second round: No. 1 Pistons vs. No. 4 Cavaliers

Series tied 3-3

Game 1: Pistons 111, Cavaliers 101

Game 2: Pistons 107, Cavaliers 97

Game 3: Cavaliers 116, Pistons 109

Game 4: Cavaliers 112, Pistons 103

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Game 5: Cavaliers 117, Pistons 113 (OT)

Game 6: Pistons 115, Cavaliers 94

Game 7: at Detroit, Sunday, 8 p.m. (Amazon Prime)

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

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How many division wins will the Detroit Lions tally in 2026?

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How many division wins will the Detroit Lions tally in 2026?


Every year, the NFL schedule bring upon something new for the Detroit Lions. This year, it’s a trip to Germany, a rare “Sunday Night Football” game at Carolina, and an early bye week. Oh wait, scratch that last one. It happens all that time.

Another constant on the Lions’ schedule is their divisional opponents. Like every other team, Detroit’s six divisional games make up over a third of their entire schedule. That means Detroit’s record within the NFC North will likely be crucial toward their regular season success. And with all three of their road divisional games crammed into the final four weeks of the season, how Detroit fares in those contests will almost certainly decide where they land in the postseason picture.

Last year, Detroit was swept by both the Vikings and Packers, and even though they ended up sweeping the division-winning Chicago Bears, it wasn’t enough to punch their ticket to the playoffs. So today’s Question of the Day is:

How many division wins will the Lions pick up on their 2026 schedule?

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My answer: I’m going with three.

First off, let’s get this straight. There is no universe where getting swept by the Vikings again in 2026 is acceptable. I understand their defense is a very tough matchup for an offense-heavy team like the Lions, but Minnesota’s roster just doesn’t compare to the rest of the division right now—especially with the questions at quarterback. Because the Vikings still always play the Lions tough, I’ll give them a split of the series.

And I’m going to be boring with the other two teams, too. I expect a split with each series. I think Ben Johnson will have a chip on his shoulder after getting swept by Dan Campbell last year and find a way to win one of those games. And while I’m really tempted to predict a sweep of the Packers, I’m just having a hard time seeing it given how well they tend to play against Detroit. The Lions will have the benefit of the bye week going into their first matchup, but a Week 18 game in Lambeau will be tough, even if the Lions managed to beat them in that exact scenario during the 2022 season.

How many division wins do you think the Lions pick up this year? Vote in the poll below and share your reasoning in the comment section.



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