Sean Guenther’s Comeback Bid: Tigers Bring Back Lefty Reliever on Minor-League Deal
Sean Guenther is getting another shot in Detroit.
The left-handed reliever, who turned heads during the Tigers’ 2024 postseason push, has re-signed with the club on a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invitation to spring training. The contract, which hasn’t been publicly announced by the team, would pay Guenther $787,000 if he makes the big-league roster.
It’s a homecoming of sorts - and a second chance - for a pitcher who carved out a brief but memorable role in Detroit’s bullpen just over a year ago.
A 2024 Breakout, Then a Step Back
Guenther might not have been a household name when the Tigers claimed him off waivers from the Marlins in November 2022 - just the third player acquired under president of baseball operations Scott Harris - but he made his presence felt in a big way during the stretch run of 2024.
Armed with a four-pitch mix, including a sinker, splitter, and slider, Guenther was a key piece of Detroit’s bullpen during their playoff chase. In August and September of that year, he posted a dazzling 0.86 ERA across 21 innings, striking out 12 and walking just two. He was trusted in high-leverage spots, and he delivered.
His postseason moment came in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Houston Astros. Called in for a critical left-on-left matchup with Kyle Tucker, Guenther used his sinker to induce an inning-ending double play - a snapshot of calm under pressure that helped define Detroit’s brief October run.
But 2025 told a different story.
Guenther struggled in spring training and didn’t make the Opening Day roster. When he did get the call, his effectiveness wasn’t the same.
Over nine games, he posted a 5.23 ERA in 10⅓ innings, walking five and striking out eight. He also logged eight innings in the minors before his season was cut short in late June due to left hip surgery.
The Tigers designated him for assignment on November 18 to clear space on the 40-man roster, and three days later, he was non-tendered - hitting free agency. But less than a month later, both sides found common ground on a new deal to bring him back into the fold for 2026.
What Comes Next
Guenther, who turns 30 soon, will enter spring training with two minor-league options remaining. If he doesn’t crack the Opening Day roster, he’ll report to Triple-A Toledo - where he’s pitched to a 4.07 ERA over 110⅔ innings in his career.
The Tigers are betting that Guenther can regain the form that made him such a valuable piece just a year ago. His ability to mix pitches and keep hitters off balance from the left side makes him a potential weapon - especially if he’s fully healthy come mid-February, as expected.
A Long Road Back
Guenther’s journey has been anything but linear. He made his MLB debut with the Marlins in August 2021, then underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2022. The Tigers gave him a fresh start in 2023, and by 2024, he was contributing in meaningful ways.
Now, after another setback - this time to his hip - he’s looking to prove he still belongs.
Across parts of three MLB seasons, Guenther owns a 5.05 ERA in 51⅔ innings. The numbers might not jump off the page, but when he’s right, he’s shown he can get outs in big spots. And for a Tigers team looking to build a deeper bullpen, that kind of upside is worth a second look.
The comeback trail starts in spring training. If Guenther can recapture the magic from late 2024, he could once again be one of Detroit’s more quietly effective arms.