Will Vest’s trip to the 60-day injured list was only a matter of time, and the Tigers made it official on Sunday while bringing back a familiar arm from the minors.
Vest landed on the 15-day IL for the second time this season on July 1, and the elbow issue behind it has already been diagnosed as a stress fracture. After a visit with Rangers surgeon Dr.
Keith Meister, the Tigers learned he won’t need surgery, but he will need time and rest. Since then, the club’s only update has been that “Will Vest is completing rehab daily,” which points to a recovery that still hasn’t moved much, if at all.
To fill the roster spot, Detroit selected the contract of right-hander Troy Watson from Triple-A Toledo and then optioned him right back to Toledo.
The Tigers today selected the contract of RHP Troy Watson from Triple-A Toledo and optioned him to Triple-A. To make room for Watson on the 40-man roster, RHP Will Vest was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
- Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) July 19, 2026
Watson has been in the organization since August 2024, when the Blue Jays designated him for assignment and Detroit picked him up in a cash deal. His path since then has been anything but straight.
He elected free agency after the 2024 season, then came back on a minor league deal with the Tigers. In 2025, he spent time at Double-A before pitching well enough to earn a non-roster invitation to spring training in 2026.
He started this season on the injured list and returned on May 9.
According to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, Watson also had an opportunity overseas, and that helped push the Tigers to make the move.
Since coming off the IL, Watson has been effective in Toledo. He’s thrown 46 innings with a 3.33 ERA, and the Mud Hens have used him in a flexible role that looks a lot like Tyler Holton’s usage pattern. He has made eight starts since returning and also logged three long-relief outings of three to five innings.
If Detroit needs him in the big leagues, he’d almost certainly work out of the bullpen. A call-up could even happen as soon as Tuesday before the second game against the Cubs, especially after AJ Hinch used five relievers on Monday. Watson also profiles as a possible doubleheader 27th man if the Tigers wind up with a postponement before Vest is healthy again.
The Tigers’ decision to keep Watson around stands out, especially after recently letting go of a couple of other pitchers who had upward mobility clauses. He may not become a meaningful major league piece this season, but having an optionable arm on the 40-man gives Detroit another layer of protection against injury or underperformance.
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