Tigers right-hander Ty Madden won’t pitch competitively this year, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (including Evan Woodbery of MLive) yesterday. While the Tigers have announced that Madden is working on a return-to-play throwing progression, Hinch revealed that the goal of that program is to set him up for a “productive offseason” rather than to try and get him back on the mound for game action before the year ends.
Madden, 25, was a first-round pick by the Tigers back in 2021, drafted 32nd overall after the club took Jackson Jobe with the third overall pick. He was a quick riser through the minors who made his big league debut in his third professional season after entering the 2024 campaign ranked as the club’s #2 pitching prospect behind Jobe. The right-hander’s debut came last year even in spite of him struggling badly at the Triple-A level with a 7.97 ERA in 18 starts, though his strikeout and walk rates were quite good despite those inflated run prevention numbers. He made six appearances for the Tigers last year in the majors, where he pitched much better than those brutal results with Toledo would otherwise suggest.
In 23 innings of work across six appearances (including one start), Madden posted a 4.30 ERA with a 16.8% strikeout rate and an 7.9% walk rate. While that strikeout rate is rather low, his ability to avoid giving up walks and home runs allowed him to post a solid enough 3.99 FIP. That brief cup of coffee in the majors offered some reason for optimism that Madden could provide value as at least a back-end starter or swing man going forward. Unfortunately, it’s also his last work at any pro level to date. Madden suffered a rotator cuff strain in his throwing shoulder during Spring Training. He was transferred to the 60-day IL shortly after Opening Day to make room for outfielder Brewer Hicklen on the club’s 40-man roster and has remained there ever since.
While Madden won’t pitch in the majors this year, it’s certainly possible he could be involved in the club’s pitching staff next year. Alex Cobb, Charlie Morton, Chris Paddack, Rafael Montero, Kyle Finnegan, Paul Sewald, and Tommy Kahnle are all set to hit free agency this winter. Jack Flaherty has a player option for the 2026 campaign. Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize are slated for free agency after 2026. With so much room opening up on the Tigers’ pitching staff both this coming offseason and then again after next year, an arm capable of handling work in either the rotation or the bullpen like Madden could be an asset for the Tigers as they look to recreate their pitching staff and keep their current window of contention open.
Not “in the game”.
Beverly Hills Sports Council, Alex Cobb’s agency, should represent more players.
They got Alex $15M for 2025 after he threw 16.1 IP in 2024. He hasn’t thrown a MLB pitch in 2025. America
A terrible signing and now Cobb is done
He’ll likely be in Detroit in September when the rosters expand to 28.
Urquidy might be also.
Cobb isn’t starting at Toledo. He’s been switched to relief down there. Makes sense since they got Morton and Paddack.
While I won’t deny that Cobb was a bad signing, it is much too easy to judge this in mid-August. By that logic, one would have missed out on Brandon Woodruff for instance.
Gruß,
BSHH
Keeping Flaherty around for the rotation would be nice, but of the ones leaving after this year, only Kahnle has really played a role. With Olsen, Melton, Jobe, Urquidy, Lange, Foley, Guenther, Gibson-Long, and Madden all expected to be ready next year, I don’t see a problem.
Olsen, Jobe, Melton, Urquidy, and Gibson-Long would be a passable rotation without Skubal and Mize (and Flaherty). If Lange and Foley get added to Vest in the pen, that’s one deep bullpen. Both Lange and Foley have had 30 save seasons.
Jobe will not pitch in 2026. Melton has promise to be a power pitcher. The rest of the above rotation are a guy with injury issues two years running (Olson) and two #5 at tops starters.
There is a complete lack of swing and miss outside of Vest in your bullpen scenario.
No mention of Flaherty in 26? He has a player option that he is sure to exercise, does he not?
His peripherals are strong and suggest he’s encountered a bit of bad luck. Given the 15 GS clause, he’ll be deciding on a $20M option. Can he do better than 1 year/$20M this offseason? I suspect so, even if it’s just another 1 year with an opt out/player option. I think he’ll opt out.
Need Skubal badly next year. With everybody who is scheduled to be staying next year, if they add only Skubs to that mix, I’ll be happy. I love Olsen and Jobe, and I always have liked what I’ve seen from Gibson-Long and I like Melton, and let’s see what we have with Urquidy.
The Tigers are pretty deep on pitching for next year. Sure Maeda and Cobb this year was not good, but they’ve moved on. The Tigers finally have what looks to be a new Bill Freehan on the team, and that is HUGE ! The fact that Dingler took control of his big chance when it came this is year is beyond exciting for fans of Tiger baseball. It’s been decades, a virtual Leonard Nimoy in search of for Freehan’s replacement.
With another catcher/D.H in AA, and a couple of young bats the horizon looks very bright for Detroit. Harris is giving the Ilitch’s what they desired for decades, a young exciting team to fill its ballpark up. This type of build puts Detroit on the short list of desirable teams to play for. Not having to chase College kids in the draft is even bigger for the health of the franchise.
33 big games to go yet, with a lot of Central Division teams too. It’s shaping up to be one of Detroit’s most exciting teams in a very long time. It’s fun for the fans. The New fans are going to remember these guys for a long time. It has that 1960’s era feel to it. Troy Melton, Dillon Dingler, pretty darn exciting waku waku ! GO TIGERS !!!
Lance Parrish; sir.
Lance followed Bill and we all thought that it was natural to have that great catcher on the team. The 40 years since has been torturous. Lance and the 84 gang was like the Tigers of the 60’s, that came together to win it all. These are exciting times for the franchise.