If you’re refreshing your phone looking for the score of Detroit Tiger game today, January 17, 2026, I have some news that might be a little annoying: there isn’t one.
We are currently deep in the "dead zone" of the MLB offseason. The crack of the bat and the smell of overpriced hot dogs at Comerica Park are still months away. Right now, the only "scores" being settled are in mahogany-row boardrooms where agents and front-office execs are bickering over arbitration numbers.
Honestly, the lack of a live box score doesn't mean nothing is happening. In many ways, what’s going on this week in Detroit is more important than a random Tuesday night game in July. The Tigers are currently navigating a massive roster transition that will define their entire 2026 season.
The Offseason Scorecard: Who is Winning?
While there is no score of Detroit Tiger game to report in the traditional sense, the team has been incredibly busy on the transaction wire.
Just a few days ago, on January 12, the Tigers brought back Bryan Sammons on a minor-league deal. You might remember him from his 2024 stint where he put up a respectable 3.62 ERA before heading over to pitch in Japan. He’s essentially a depth piece, but in a long 162-game season, these are the guys who save your bullpen when the "real" starters get shelled or land on the IL.
Key Signings and Arbitration "Scores"
The Tigers recently settled several high-profile contracts to avoid the headache of arbitration hearings. This is basically the financial version of a final score.
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- Casey Mize: Agreed to a $6.15 million deal. After winning 14 games last year, he’s finally looking like the ace we were promised back when he was the #1 overall pick.
- Kerry Carpenter: Settled at $3.275 million. The man hit 26 homers last year; honestly, that feels like a bargain for the Tigers.
- Zach McKinstry: Inked for $4.2 million. He’s the Swiss Army knife of the infield, and A.J. Hinch loves having that kind of flexibility.
- Riley Greene & Spencer Torkelson: Both also avoided arbitration on January 8, keeping the young core intact and happy—for now.
The big cloud hanging over Detroit isn't a rain delay; it's the Tarik Skubal situation. Unlike the others, Skubal and the Tigers couldn't reach a deal before the deadline. They are likely headed to a hearing, which is always awkward. You've got the team basically arguing why their best pitcher isn't worth as much as he thinks he is. It's a weird "game" where nobody really wins, even if someone gets the "score" they wanted.
Why There's No Baseball in January
It sounds obvious, but sometimes we forget just how long the MLB winter is. The 2026 regular season won't kick off until late March.
If you are seeing "Tigers" scores on your feed right now, you’re likely seeing college sports. For example, the Missouri Tigers (NCAA) just played a women’s basketball game against Alabama on January 12—that ended in a 63-74 loss for Mizzou. But for our Detroit boys? The bats are still in storage.
When will the first score happen?
The first actual score of Detroit Tiger game in 2026 will come from Grapefruit League play in Lakeland, Florida. Spring Training usually gets rolling in late February.
That’s where the "real" drama starts for 2026. We’re going to see if Kevin McGonigle—who many scouts are calling the best prospect in the AL Central—can actually crack the Opening Day roster. CBS Sports currently has him ranked as the #1 prospect in the division. If he hits .400 in Florida, it’s going to be very hard for Scott Harris to send him back to Triple-A Toledo.
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The 2026 Outlook: Better than 87-75?
Last year, the Tigers finished 87-75. They were good. They were "second in the AL Central" good. But they weren't "World Series threat" good.
The front office is banking on internal growth. They didn't go out and sign a $300 million superstar this winter. Instead, they’ve been adding veteran bullpen arms like Kenley Jansen (one-year deal) and Kyle Finnegan (two-year deal).
"Detroit's lineup is fairly solid despite lacking any true stars... they actually fit together quite well." — Joe Rampe, Tigers Minor League Report.
This is a "sum of its parts" team. You’ve got Riley Greene blossoming into a legitimate All-Star, Tarik Skubal coming off a Cy Young-caliber year, and a wave of kids like Max Clark and Bryce Rainer waiting in the wings. Clark is projected to be a September call-up this year, which is basically the baseball equivalent of a blockbuster movie trailer.
Where to Get Real-Time Updates
Since you can't get a live score of Detroit Tiger game today, the best thing you can do is track the "roster score."
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The Tigers' TV rights are also in a bit of a mess. The FanDuel Sports Network contract was recently terminated, so how we even watch the games in 2026 is still a bit up in the air. Fans are hoping for a direct-to-consumer streaming option that doesn't involve a $100 cable package, but we’ll see.
If you’re looking for action right now, keep an eye on:
- International Signings: The Tigers just landed three big-name international prospects on January 15.
- The Waiver Wire: Scott Harris is notorious for claiming players you’ve never heard of who end up being solid relievers three months later.
- Spring Training Countdown: We are roughly five weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Tigertown.
The "score" of the Detroit Tigers right now is measured in salary cap space and prospect rankings. It’s not as exciting as a walk-off homer, but it’s how championships are built.
Stop checking the box scores for a few more weeks. Instead, keep an eye on the Tarik Skubal arbitration news. If the Tigers lose that hearing, the "score" for team morale might take a bigger hit than any regular-season loss could ever manage.
The best way to stay prepared for the 2026 season is to verify your local regional sports network (RSN) availability, as the recent termination of the FanDuel Sports Network contract means your old way of watching might be gone. Check the official MLB app or the Tigers' team site for updated broadcasting details before Spring Training begins in late February.