Tigers bolster bullpen and perhaps pitching chaos with righties Finnegan, Morton, Sewald and Heuer

By: Larry Lage, The Associated Press Posted: 1:12 PM CDT Thursday, Jul. 31, 2025 Last Modified: 6:47 PM CDT Thursday, Jul. 31, 2025

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DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers seem to be setting themselves up to potentially go back to what manager A.J. Hinch calls pitching chaos.

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DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers seem to be setting themselves up to potentially go back to what manager A.J. Hinch calls pitching chaos.

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DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers seem to be setting themselves up to potentially go back to what manager A.J. Hinch calls pitching chaos.

Detroit bolstered its bullpen, and options in games without a traditional starting pitcher, with a series of moves to add a trio of right-handers in the hours before the trade deadline on Thursday. Then they added a starting veteran starter, too.

The Tigers acquired Washington’s Kyle Finnegan, Cleveland’s Paul Sewald and Texas minor leaguer Codi Heuer for prospects and cash, and also announced a deal shortly after the deadline for 41-year-old Charlie Morton from Baltimore.

Washington Nationals pitcher Kyle Finnegan throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Washington, Monday, July 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

Detroit made the trades — and one earlier this week — hoping to increase its chances of winning a World Series for the first time in more than four decades.

The AL Central-leading Tigers won their fourth straight game with newly acquired starting pitcher Chris Paddack on Wednesday, two days after he was added in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. Later that day, they acquired right-handed reliever Rafael Montero from Atlanta for minor league infielder Jim Jarvis.

Detroit has nearly a double-digit game lead in a division suddenly filled with rebuilding teams, including the defending AL Central-champion Guardians, and is vying with Toronto and Houston for the best record in the league.

The Tigers, trying to take advantage of ace Tarik Skubal and a balanced lineup, are aiming for their first World Series title since 1984.

Morton headlines Thursday’s additions. The two-time World Series winner has won 145 games over 18 big league seasons. He’s 7-8 with a 5.42 ERA this year, although he’s been sharper lately with a 3.98 ERA in 10 starts since June 1.

Detroit earned a spot in the playoffs last year for the first time in the decade after a late-season surge, using Hinch’s unconventional approach to using relievers to start and pitch in games for an inning or two.

The 33-year-old Finnegan was an All-Star in 2024, but his velocity has been down this season. He has 20 saves with a 4.38 ERA in 2025.

In the trade for Finnegan, the Tigers sent minor league pitchers Josh Randall and R.J. Sales, Detroit’s third and 10th round draft picks from 2024, respectively, to Washington.

The 35-year-old Sewald is eligible to return from the injured list on Sunday after being shut down with a strained right shoulder, but he isn’t expected to pitch until September. He is 1-1 with a 4.70 ERA in 18 games this season, averaging more than one strikeout each inning.

The 29-year-old Heuer, who will report to Triple-A Toledo, was 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA and four saves in 35 games at Triple-A Round Rock this year and pitched in one game for the Rangers.