Tigers lose pitcher to IL due to elbow injury

Not long after the Detroit Tigers received injury updates on Javier Baez and Gleyber Torres, the club announced they are sending a key pitcher to the IL. The announcement was made hours before Wednesday’s game against the New York Yankees.

Reports indicate that Will Vest is being placed on the 15-day IL (retroactive to June 28) with right elbow inflammation. The Tigers also announced they are calling up right-handed pitcher Beau Brieske from Triple-A Toledo to replace Vest in the bullpen.

“The Tigers today placed RHP Will Vest on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 28) with posterior right elbow inflammation,” announced the organization. “RHP Beau Brieske has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo.”

While Vest has been a solid arm out of the bullpen throughout his six years in MLB, the 2026 campaign has been a bit of a struggle for the 31-year-old right-hander. He’s having the worst season of his career since making his major league debut in 2021 with the Seattle Mariners. Through 26.2 innings pitched, Vest owns a 6.08 ERA and 1.425 WHIP with 27 strikeouts.

Brieske takes Vest’s spot in the bullpen for the time being. However, the Tigers will hope for better production from the five-year veteran. His four games this season have been atrocious, as Brieske owns a 12.46 ERA and 2.308 WHIP with four strikeouts through 4.1 innings pitched.

The Tigers now have six players on the IL, with three of them coming from the bullpen. Manager AJ Hinch might have to get creative moving forward to assist his starting rotation. Especially now with Tarik Skubal back in the mix.