The Detroit Tigers’ bullpen could be getting a much-needed reinforcement with this veteran closing in on his return.
One of the biggest concerns surrounding the 2026 Detroit Tigers has been the lack of consistency in their bullpen. After entering the season with plenty of expectations following the signing of veteran closer Kenley Jansen, the extension of Kyle Finnegan and the presence of Will Vest, the relief corps has endured several setbacks.
Jansen currently owns a 3.98 ERA and nearly surrendered the lead in the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. Finnegan has posted a respectable 3.49 ERA overall, but his 1.57 WHIP remains concerning, while his ERA has ballooned to 12.00 in August. Meanwhile, Vest will not return to the bullpen this season after undergoing two surgeries.
There have been some encouraging developments from relievers such as Enmanuel De Jesus and Drew Sommers, but the Tigers still need a dependable arm capable of handling important middle-to-late-inning situations. Fortunately for Detroit, that missing piece could be getting closer to making his return.
Brant Hurter Nearing Return to Detroit?
One of Detroit’s more under-the-radar bullpen arms since 2024 has been Brant Hurter. He played an important role during the Tigers’ surprising 2024 season and followed it up with another solid campaign in 2025. Although an injury has limited him in 2026, Hurter has remained one of A.J. Hinch’s most dependable relievers whenever he’s been available.
Before landing on the 60-day injured list in late May because of lumbar spine inflammation, Hurter recorded a 2.84 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 25.1 innings. He also surrendered just one home run during that stretch. Even though the sample size is relatively small, those numbers show why Detroit could benefit from having the left-hander back in its bullpen with the postseason race heating up.
Hurter began his rehab assignment with the Toledo Mud Hens last Saturday, working one inning and allowing two hits, two runs and one earned run while issuing one walk on 23 pitches. However, his latest appearance provided an even more encouraging sign.
On Wednesday night, Hurter needed only eight pitches, including five strikes, to complete a scoreless inning for Toledo. The primary concern, according to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, was his fastball velocity, which averaged just 89.7 mph. That number could climb as Hurter continues to build up during his recovery.
According to MLB.com’s Tigers injury report, Hurter could potentially be activated sometime this week, possibly in time for Detroit’s upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox. If the timetable is pushed back, another opportunity could come during the Tigers’ road trips against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals.
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