The scoreboard at Comerica Park says one thing, but if you've been following this team lately, you know the vibe is way more complicated than a simple win or loss. Honestly, looking for the latest MLB Detroit Tigers score right now is a bit of a tease because we’re currently in that weird January lull where the only "scoring" happening is in arbitration hearings and front-office negotiations.
Detroit finished their 2025 campaign with an 87-75 record. On paper, that’s a winning season. It’s actually pretty good! But if you ask anyone who watched the second-half collapse where they blew a massive division lead to the Cleveland Guardians, those 87 wins feel a lot heavier. They eventually bowed out in a heartbreaking 15-inning ALDS Game 5 against the Seattle Mariners.
The MLB Detroit Tigers Score That Actually Matters Right Now
We aren't seeing home runs yet. We're seeing dollar signs.
The "score" everyone is obsessed with this week involves Tarik Skubal and the Tigers’ front office. It’s getting kinda ugly. Skubal, who just walked away with back-to-back AL Cy Young awards, couldn't reach a deal with the team to avoid arbitration. He’s reportedly asking for a record-breaking $32 million, while the team is playing hardball.
If you check the news, fans are losing it. There’s this feeling that the Tigers might actually trade their ace because they don't want to pay the market rate. That would be a massive gut punch to a fanbase that just watched this team lead the league in run scoring for a huge chunk of last year.
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Recent Arbitration "Scores" for the 40-Man Roster
While the Skubal situation is a mess, the Tigers did manage to lock in a few other key players for the 2026 season. Think of these as the "pre-season wins" that keep the roster from falling apart:
- Casey Mize: $6.15 million. He had a career-high 14 wins last year and seems to have finally found his rhythm.
- Riley Greene: $5 million. The heartbeat of the outfield.
- Spencer Torkelson: $4.075 million. He’s still trying to find that consistent power, but he's a fixture at first.
- Kerry Carpenter: $3.275 million. He hit 26 homers last year, which is basically a bargain at this price.
Looking Back at the 2025 Rollercoaster
You can’t talk about the MLB Detroit Tigers score without mentioning how 2025 ended. It was arguably one of the most confusing seasons in Detroit history.
On July 8, 2025, this team was 25 games over .500. They looked like world-beaters. Then, the wheels didn't just fall off—they disintegrated. They went 7-17 in September. If it weren't for a 2-1 win over the Red Sox on September 27, they might have missed the playoffs entirely.
The offense was actually the star for most of the year. Dan Dickerson, the voice of the Tigers, noted that the team scored over 750 runs for the first time since 2016. They had seven guys with an OPS+ over 100. That’s depth. But when the pitching staff collapsed in August, no amount of hitting could save the daily score.
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Injury Updates Affecting the 2026 Scoreboard
If you're wondering why the Tigers are signing guys like Kenley Jansen ($9 million) and Kyle Finnegan ($16.75 million over two years), it’s because the injury list is a nightmare.
Jackson Jobe, the top pitching prospect everyone was hyped for, had Tommy John surgery last June. We won't see him until the second half of 2026 at the earliest. Reese Olson and Beau Brieske are both coming back from shoulder and forearm strains. Basically, the Tigers are buying health right now because their "homegrown" arms are in the shop.
When Do Real Scores Return?
The wait is almost over. Spring Training is right around the corner.
The Tigers report to Lakeland, Florida, on February 11. The first time we'll see an actual MLB Detroit Tigers score on a box score is February 21. They’re opening the Grapefruit League schedule against the New York Yankees in Tampa.
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2026 Spring Training Key Dates
- February 21: vs. NY Yankees (Away)
- February 22: vs. Baltimore Orioles (Home Opener at Joker Marchant Stadium)
- March 4: vs. Team Panama (World Baseball Classic exhibition)
- March 26: Opening Day
There's a lot of buzz around Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark. These kids are the future. Projections from ZiPS suggest they could be top-five players on the team as early as this year. If they rake in Lakeland, the Opening Day lineup is going to look a lot younger and a lot faster.
What You Should Do Next
Keep a close eye on the Tarik Skubal trade rumors over the next two weeks. If a deal isn't reached soon, the "score" of the offseason will be whether Scott Harris keeps the best lefty in baseball or flips him for prospects.
Check the official MLB site or the Tigers' app on February 21 for the first live game updates. If you're planning a trip to Lakeland, tickets for the "Grey" level games (like the Yankees matchups) are starting around $39, so grab them before the snowbirds take them all.
Watch the waiver wire too. The Tigers just signed Drew Anderson to a $7 million deal after a stint in Korea, proving they are looking everywhere for pitching depth. The roster isn't set yet, and the scores that happen in the front office this month will dictate the scores we see at Comerica Park in June.