Tigers Injury Plague Continues as $2.25 Million Reliever With 1.00 ERA Goes Down

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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

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The Detroit Tigers sit in first place in the American League Central with a 13-8 record, tied with the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers for best in the AL. Though the season is still young, if the Tigers can maintain anything close to their current pace they will be well on their way to a second straight playoff appearance.

With a growing injury list, however, the Tigers may find it difficult to sustain their early-season success. Centerfielder Parker Meadows has been on the 60-day IL since spring training with a nerve injury in his right bicep and has only been cleared to resume throwing this week.

Detroit Tigers reliever John Brebbia.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 12: John Brebbia #49 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning at Target Field on April 12, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Tigers... David Berding/Getty Images

Two other centerfielders, Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez, remain on the IL, as does starting catcher Jake Rogers.

Former Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Alex Cobb inked a $15 million, one-year free agent contract but at age 37 has yet to throw a pitch for the Tigers. Cobb was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday.

Reliever Beau Brieske went on the IL Friday with inflammation in his ankle after struggling so far this season. Brieske had allowed a run in each of his last four appearances and had surrendered seven earned runs, nine total, in the 7 1/3 innings he had pitched.

On Saturday, the Tigers announced another bullpen hurler was going to the IL, but this one was not struggling. In fact, John Brebbia, who signed a $2.25 million free agent contract with Detroit over the offseason, had thrown nine innings over eight games, allowing just three hits and one earned run — an ERA of 1.00.

In the Tigers' 7-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Friday, Brebbia again threw a scoreless inning — but this time he allowed a hit and two walks while striking out two, for a total of 31 pitches.

It was an uncharacteristically shaky performance for Brebbia, who has posted a WHIP of 0.889. The day after his 31-pitch outing, Brebbia was placed on the 15-day IL with a right triceps strain.

More MLB: Tigers Trade Scenario Fixes Injured Outfield By Grabbing Red Sox Castoff

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About the writer

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Writers Page

JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His ... Read more