He’s back.
Just when you thought the Detroit Tigers were done scouring the bargain bins for 2026 depth, a familiar name popped up on the transaction wire this week. Bryan Sammons is returning to the Motor City. If you blinked during the 2024 season, you might have missed his first stint, but Scott Harris clearly hasn’t forgotten.
The Tigers reached a deal with the left-handed pitcher on a minor league contract that includes the holy grail for fringe roster guys: a non-roster invitation to major league camp. Honestly, it’s a classic move for this front office. They love guys with "stuff" that doesn't necessarily light up a radar gun but plays well in the pitching lab.
Who is Bryan Sammons and why should you care?
Look, I get it. Sammons isn't exactly a household name like Tarik Skubal. He doesn't throw 100 mph. He spent the entire 2025 season pitching in Japan for Chiba Lotte, far away from the prying eyes of MLB Statcast.
But here is the thing: the guy was actually decent for Detroit back in 2024. In about 27 innings of work, he put up a 3.62 ERA. That’s not world-beating, but for a guy who basically functions as a "length" option out of the bullpen or a spot starter, it’s gold. The Tigers aren't asking him to be an ace. They’re asking him to be a safety net.
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Basically, the Detroit Tigers new pitcher represents an insurance policy.
Think about the current state of the rotation. You’ve got Skubal at the top, followed by Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize. Then there’s Reese Olson and the newcomer Drew Anderson (who, by the way, just signed a $7 million deal after his own stint in Korea). Behind them? It gets thin fast. If Mize’s shoulder acts up or Olson hits a wall, you need someone who won't give up six runs in the first inning. Sammons fits that bill perfectly because he knows the system and knows A.J. Hinch’s expectations.
The Japanese "Finishing School" Effect
There is a weirdly consistent trend lately of pitchers going to the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) and coming back better. We saw it with Erik Fedde. We saw it with Chris Flexen.
In Japan, Sammons logged over 85 innings. He had to learn how to navigate lineups that prioritize contact and discipline over the "three true outcomes" style we see in the States. Reports from scouts suggest his command of the secondary stuff—specifically that sweeping slider—is much tighter now.
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What this move says about the 2026 Tigers
Scott Harris is obsessed with "competitive depth." It’s his favorite phrase. By bringing in Sammons, alongside recent bullpen additions like Kenley Jansen and the return of Kyle Finnegan, the Tigers are building a roster that can survive a 162-game grind.
- The Jansen Factor: Adding a veteran like Kenley Jansen ($9 million for one year) shows Detroit wants to win now.
- The Finnegan Deal: Bringing back Kyle Finnegan on a two-year, $16.75 million contract stabilizes the back end.
- The Sammons Role: He is the "break glass in case of emergency" guy who can eat innings in April so the high-leverage arms don't burn out by July.
One thing that kinda gets lost in the shuffle is the arbitration drama with Tarik Skubal. There’s a massive $13 million gap between what the team filed ($19M) and what Skubal wants ($32M). While everyone is panicking about trade rumors, moves like the Sammons signing show the front office is still focused on filling out the edges of a playoff-caliber roster. They aren't acting like a team that’s about to trade away its best player.
Why this might actually work
Sammons relies on sequencing. He isn't going to blow anyone away with a high-heat fastball, but in the cavernous dimensions of Comerica Park, fly-ball pitchers with good movement can survive. He’s a southpaw, which is always in demand, and he provides a different look than the high-velocity righties like Jackson Jobe who are climbing the ranks.
Will he make the Opening Day roster? Hard to say. He’s likely headed to Triple-A Toledo to start the year. But don’t be surprised if he’s the first guy called up when the inevitable June injury bug hits.
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If you're looking to track his progress, keep an eye on his walk rates during Spring Training in Lakeland. If he can keep the free passes down, his "pitchability" might just earn him a permanent spot in the long-relief role that the Tigers have struggled to fill consistently.
Your Detroit Tigers pitching checklist
To really get a handle on where the staff stands before pitchers and catchers report, here is what you need to watch:
- Check the velocity on Drew Anderson: He’s the other "international returnee" and has a much higher salary floor than Sammons. If he struggles, Sammons' path to the majors becomes a highway.
- Watch the Tarik Skubal arbitration hearing: If it goes to a room, things could get awkward, but the Tigers have the payroll flexibility to handle either number.
- Monitor Casey Mize’s workload: The Tigers are counting on him for 150+ innings. If he’s limited early in camp, Sammons becomes a rotation candidate immediately.
- Track Jackson Jobe's development: The top prospect is the future, but the Tigers won't rush him. Veteran depth like Sammons exists specifically to prevent Jobe from being forced into the fire too early.
The Detroit Tigers are playing a smart, albeit quiet, game this winter. It isn't flashy, and it won't win the "offseason championship," but it builds a foundation. Getting a lefty like Sammons back on a low-risk deal is exactly the kind of move that looks boring in January but looks genius when he’s throwing five scoreless innings in a doubleheader in August.