The Tigers got a temporary bullpen shuffle Tuesday, with lefty Emmanuel De Jesus headed to the paternity list after the birth of his daughter and right-hander Tanner Rainey called up to take his place.
Detroit selected Rainey’s contract to fill the opening, and manager A.J. Hinch said before the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park that the family news came first for De Jesus.
"Everybody is well and they are resting after a long 24 hours bringing the baby girl into the world," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Tuesday, Aug. 11, before the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park.
"So, he is on paternity. We will hopefully get him back whenever everything is settled and safe and sound."
Under MLB rules, De Jesus can remain on the paternity list for up to three games. For now, Rainey’s arrival leaves the Tigers with two left-handed relievers in the bullpen, Tyler Holton and Drew Sommers, until De Jesus returns.
Rainey, 33, first joined the organization on a minor league contract in July 2025 and made two appearances, allowing three runs in two innings. He later re-signed with Detroit on another minor league deal in November.
The veteran right-hander brings plenty of experience, too: eight MLB seasons, nearly 200 innings and 211 big-league appearances, most of them out of the Washington Nationals bullpen. He also owns a World Series ring from 2019.
"We will have a full bullpen," Hinch said.
Hinch also had updates on a few other Tigers on the mend.
Jack Flaherty, sidelined since July 21 with right flexor tendon inflammation, is taking another step in his throwing program. Hinch said Flaherty sent him a message to pass along.
"He wanted me to say he's throwing further and real baseballs today," Hinch said.
Hinch later added that Flaherty has been building volume, distance and intensity as he works toward a return. Flaherty is 3-8 with a 4.58 ERA in 19 starts this season.
"Jack is increasing intensity, volume and distance, which is a good sign," Hinch said. "It is very much a step forward for him, which is good to see."
Wenceel Pérez’s rehab work has been paused after his recovery with his vision stalled. Perez has been on the injured list since mid-June after a snapped plyometric band struck him below the left eye. He appeared in one game with Low-A Lakeland and three with Triple-A Toledo before the setback.
"Everything is fine with him," Hinch said. "It is just a slow process of making sure.
The vision hasn't returned to normal yet to where his normal vision is, but it was enough to increase him. But we are just going to take a step back and get him re-evaluated."
Hinch said light is still causing Perez fatigue, and the team wants him away from rehab for a stretch before any games are added back into the plan.
"There's a certain period of time he needs to be off rehab before we would introduce games again," Hinch said.
Meanwhile, left-handed reliever Brant Hurter is scheduled to start for Toledo on Tuesday as he continues his rehab assignment for lumbar spine inflammation.
And Will Vest has now undergone the second surgery tied to the injuries that ended his 2026 season early. After the Tigers shut him down on July 31 for surgery on his right arm, Hinch said Vest would also need hip surgery. That arthroscopic right hip procedure was completed Tuesday in Detroit.
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Manager A.J. Hinch said Greene will get an off day while the club monitors the issue day by day, with a fuller evaluation coming the next day. For a Tigers team trying to keep momentum in a tight stretch, anything involving Greenes hamstring is the kind of development that can ripple beyond one game. [Read more 🡒]