Tigers Make Roster Decision Before Ray Series

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Segun Ajayi | Last updated Jun 1, 2026 10:30 AM ET

Ty Madden is set to return to the Detroit Tigers' pitching staff after the club decided to activate the right-hander from the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. Detroit News reporter Chris McCosky reported that Madden will be activated off the injured list before Monday's game and could either start or work in a bulk relief role.

The Tigers will announce a corresponding roster move before first pitch to create room on the active roster. Madden has not pitched for Detroit since May 15, when a line drive struck his right forearm during a game. The injury forced him to the injured list, but he avoided a lengthy absence and quickly worked his way back through the recovery process.

Before returning to the major league roster, Madden made one rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo. He threw 4.1 innings and allowed one run on four hits while striking out three and walking three. The outing gave Detroit confidence that he was ready to rejoin the pitching staff.

The Tigers will activate Ty Madden off IL tomorrow. He will either start or pitch bulk relief. 40-man move will be announced tomorrow.
— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) May 31, 2026

The 26-year-old has impressed whenever the Tigers have called on him this season. In three appearances, he owns a 2.38 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP across 11.1 innings. He has also recorded 12 strikeouts while limiting opposing hitters to very few scoring opportunities.

Madden opened the season in a relief role but now appears set for his first start of the 2026 campaign. His return comes at an important time for a Tigers team that continues to rely heavily on its pitching depth as it pushes through a demanding stretch of games.

The former first-round pick has steadily worked his way through Detroit's system since the Tigers selected him with the 32nd overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Texas. He signed with the Tigers on July 19, 2021, for a $2.5 million bonus.

Madden made his professional debut in 2022 with the High–A West Michigan Whitecaps. He then made his major league debut in 2025 and has continued to develop into a reliable option whenever the club needs innings.

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch © Evan Petzold / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Detroit will hope that Madden can build on the strong numbers he posted before the injury. His ability to throw strikes and limit traffic on the bases has stood out during his early appearances this season. His 0.79 WHIP ranks among the best marks on the Tigers' staff among pitchers with at least 10 innings pitched.

The Tigers enter the series against Tampa Bay looking to maintain momentum in the American League playoff race. Getting Madden back gives manager A.J. Hinch another capable arm and adds flexibility to a pitching staff that has performed well throughout the season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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