Tigers right-hander Kyle Finnegan needed just two pitches to earn a save in a 4-3 win over the Royals on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Finnegan was called upon with one out and two men on in the top of the ninth on Thursday, and needed just two pitches to induce a game-ending double play off the bat of Royals catcher Salvador Perez. The save was Finnegan's second of the season, while he also his 12 holds to his credit. While he carries a stellar 2.36 ERA across 44 appearances this season, his lackluster 6.90 K/9, 4.93 BB/9, and 1.42 WHIP has him sitting with a 4.94 xFIP and a 4.87 SIERA, both of which suggest notable regression is on the horizon.

Finnegan tossed 1.2 scoreless innings and earned a hold in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Twins. He walked one and struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Finnegan got the last two batters of the seventh inning and then worked through the eighth for the Tigers. With Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the IL, Finnegan has gotten some run as Detroit's closer, but he's blown four saves in five chances this year. The Tigers have seemingly turned to Will Vest to end games instead, though Finnegan has been effective overall with a 2.01 ERA across 31.1 innings out of the bullpen this season. The righty also leads the team with nine holds.

Finnegan was charged with a blown save in Friday's extra-inning loss to the White Sox. He allowed one run on two hits over one inning of work with no walks or strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

With Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the IL, Finnegan entered the game in the ninth inning to protect a 2-1 lead, but he couldn't close the door. With two outs, the White Sox forced extra innings when Andrew Benintendi crossed home plate on a sacrifice bunt from Rikuu Nishida thanks to a throwing error by Spencer Torkelson -- a throw that would've ended the game if it hadn't been an error. As a result, Finnegan was charged with a blown save for the fourth time in his last nine outings. He has one save and six holds this season, but his late-inning issues are worrisome -- even if he has a 2.03 ERA in 26 appearances so far. He also has a career-worst 1.58 WHIP.

Finnegan allowed a solo home run and a walk in an inning of relief in Saturday's 2-1, 10-inning loss to the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Finnegan came on in the seventh inning with Detroit up 1-0 but promptly served up a game-tying home run to Yohendrick Pinango. That gave Finnegan his third blown save in his last four outings, although none of them have come in the ninth inning. The righty reliever started the year with 11 straight scoreless appearances, and he's got a stellar 1.66 ERA overall, but he has allowed three earned runs over that four-game skid.

Finnegan earned the save in Thursday's 5-2 win over Atlanta, allowing a hit while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

After Kenley Jansen was charged with a blown save Wednesday, it was Finnegan who got the call in the ninth inning Thursday with the Tigers up by three. The right-hander worked around a one-out single to lock down his first save with Detroit this season. The 34-year-old Finnegan is off to a stellar start this season -- he's allowed just one run through his first 15.2 innings. While the veteran Jansen should have a fairly long leash as the Tigers' primary closer, Finnegan is certainly a name to watch should Jansen's struggles continue.

After tossing a scoreless inning of relief in Friday's 1-0, 10-inning loss to the Red Sox, Finnegan is now up to nine consecutive scoreless appearances this season.

EDGE Analysis

Finnegan has managed to keep the opposition off the board so far this year, but there are some signs for concern. He only has three strikeouts across nine innings and has walked eight batters, which has contributed to a 1.33 WHIP that is a jump up from the 1.11 WHIP he posted for the Nationals and Tigers last year. Finnegan should remain locked into a key setup role for Detroit, though he'll need to flip the strikeouts and walks around if he wants to sustain his early success.

Finnegan worked around a walk to toss a scoreless inning of relief and earn a hold in Friday's 2-0 win over the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Finnegan worked the eighth inning in front of new Detroit closer Kenley Jansen, and the former continued his unblemished start to the season. Finnegan has strung together six straight scoreless appearances, though he has walked seven batters versus only three strikeouts across 5.1 innings. Finnegan may not record many saves with Jansen around, but he has two holds so far and should remain a consistent contributor in that category.

Finnegan worked around a walk to toss a scoreless inning of relief and earn a hold in Friday's 5-2 win over the Padres. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Finnegan followed starter Framber Valdez, who covered six innings, and reliever Enmanuel De Jesus, who worked the seventh. While Finnegan labored a bit, needing 20 pitches to get out of the eighth, he still managed his first hold of the season in front of new closer Kenley Jansen. Finnegan recorded 24 total regular-season saves pitching for the Nationals and Tigers last year, but it looks like he'll be in a traditional setup role this season now that the veteran Jansen is around.

With Kenley Jansen the favorite to open the season as Detroit's closer, per the Tiger Territory podcast, Finnegan will likely need to settle for a setup role.

EDGE Analysis

Jansen leads all active MLB players and is fourth all time with 476 career saves, so it's not too surprising that manager A.J. Hinch figures to look the veteran's way first. Finnegan had 24 saves last season, with four of those coming with the Tigers after arriving via trade before the deadline, but it looks like his 2026 total will be significantly lower, unless Jansen gets hurt or struggles out of the gate. Detroit's 2025 saves leader, Will Vest, also figures to be in the setup mix in the seventh and eighth innings.

Finnegan signed a two-year, $19 million contract with the Tigers on Tuesday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After turning in a 4.38 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 39 innings with the Nationals, Finnegan became dominant on the mound once he moved from Washington to Detroit at the trade deadline, posting a 1.50 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with a 23:4 K:BB in 18 regular-season innings with the Tigers. He'll now officially stay put in the Motor City for the 2026 campaign and figures to remain in the mix for saves along with Will Vest.