CHICAGO - The Detroit Tigers have tweaked their bullpen before their four-game series against the Chicago White Sox.
Veteran right-hander Kyle Finnegan was put on the 15-day injured list with a left groin ailment, effectively ending his season. Right-handed reliever Ty Madden was brought up to replace him, bolstering the bullpen.
In the two games before going on the IL, Finnegan gave up four earned runs (including a home run) in 1⅓ innings, with one walk and one strikeout.
Madden last pitched for the Tigers on Aug. 23; the 2021 first-round pick (No. 32 overall, out of Texas) has pitched in 17 games this season and has a 3.46 ERA, featuring 40 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Finnegan appeared in 63 games for the Tigers this season, throwing 60⅔ innings with a 4.30 ERA, 47 strikeouts and 34 walks.
Here come the White Sox
This is the final road series of the regular season for the Tigers (72-80). They have won six of seven games, though the most recent was that loss, a 5-1 fall in Toronto on Wednesday. It was a game with a familiar theme: losing a game after taking the lead. It was the Tigers' 44th time blowing a lead, tied for the most in the American League (with the Los Angeles Angels).
Ominous results against AL Central
The Tigers are 17-31 against AL Central foes, including 9-22 in games decided by two runs or less, a .290 winning percentage and worst in the division. And it's even worse on the road. The Tigers are 0-12 in games decided by two runs or less against the AL Central on the road.
The Tigers have already clinched season series losses in the Central to the Cleveland Guardians (10-3), Minnesota Twins (8-5) and the Kansas City Royals (7-6). They trail the White Sox in their series, 6-3, meaning the Tigers need a sweep to avoid losing all four division series.
Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on X @seideljeff
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Kyle Finnegan injury update, as Tigers put RHP on IL to end his season
