Hanifee will be included on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
He ultimately got the call over Jason Foley, who was surprisingly optioned to Triple-A Toledo earlier Wednesday. Hanifee spun 10.2 scoreless innings this spring with a 9:3 K:BB and held a 1.84 ERA and 23:6 K:BB across 29.1 frames with the Tigers last season. He's better at getting groundballs than strikeouts and will likely serve in a middle relief role.
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Tigers' Brenan Hanifee: Vying for final bullpen spot
Rotowire
Hanifee, Brant Hurter and Andrew Chafin are likely competing for Detroit's final bullpen spot to begin the regular season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Hanifee is a righty, while Hurter and Chafin are southpaws, so the decision could come down to how manager A.J. Hinch decides to construct his bullpen. Even if Hanifee doesn't make the cut initially, he figures to be in the mix for MLB action at some point this year. Hanifee impressed in a small sample last year, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings for the Tigers.
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Tigers' Brenan Hanifee: Continues strong spring play
Rotowire
After tossing two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Hanifee now has a 0.00 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 7.1 innings this spring along with seven strikeouts.
Hanifee was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers in 2024, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings after getting called up to the majors in early August. The righty often served as an opener and gave Detroit some length out of the bullpen. Based on his strong showing last year and impressive spring so far, Hanifee should have a roster spot locked up, and he may see more high-leverage work as the season progresses.
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Tigers' Brenan Hanifee: Serving as opener Friday
Rotowire
Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Friday's game versus the White Sox.
It's the third opener assignment this season for Hanifee, who went a combined 2.2 scoreless innings the first two times. Casey Mize is one candidate for bulk relief Friday, but the Tigers have not divulged their plans.
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Tigers' Brenan Hanifee: Opening Saturday
Rotowire
Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opener in Saturday's game against the Athletics.
Hanifee has posted an impressive 1.47 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 18.1 innings in the majors this season, and he'll now be trusted to make his second career MLB start. He will likely be removed from the game after an inning or two, at which point Brant Hurter is expected to pitch in bulk relief.
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Tigers' Brenan Hanifee: Contract selected
Rotowire
The Tigers selected Hanifee's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Hanifee made three appearances with the Tigers last season but has spent all of 2024 with Toledo after re-signing on a minor-league contract. The 26-year-old has put up a 5.17 ERA at Toledo, but a 53:14 K:BB over 47 innings in more promising.
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Tigers' Brenan Hanifee: Reassigned to minors
Rotowire
The Tigers reassigned Hanifee to minor-league camp Thursday.
Hanifee made three relief appearances for the Tigers during the 2023 campaign and rejoined Detroit on a minor-league deal in the offseason after being non-tendered in November, but he never looked to be a realistic candidate to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander is expected to report to Triple-A Toledo to begin the 2024 season.
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Brenan Hanifee: Heads into free agency
Rotowire
Hanifee was non-tendered by Detroit on Friday.
Hanifee was designated for assignment by the Tigers earlier this week and is now officially a free agent. The 25-year-old right-hander surrendered three earned runs over his first five major-league innings in 2023 and had a 4.38 ERA in 90.1 innings of work at the Triple-A level.
