Tigers Daily Report

March 23, 2026

Executive Summary

The Detroit Tigers (8-12) are set to face off against the Colorado Rockies (14-14) in a matchup that features two teams currently riding one-game win streaks. As Opening Day approaches in just three days, the Tigers continue to finalize their roster while managing multiple injury concerns.

Top Story

Television Logistics Finalized for Detroit SportsNet Launch

The Tigers are moving to the MLB Media distribution umbrella for the 2026 season, with FanDuel Sports Network Detroit's parent company on the brink of shutting down. The Tigers' locally produced television broadcasts will be available on streaming (through MLB.TV) and linear television, though the linear TV situation is, as expected, going down to the wire. Ben Fidelman, a Tigers vice president who oversees broadcast matters, clarified the situation in a long post on social media Sunday, explaining Detroit SportsNet is likely to be available via all cable companies that carried FanDuel. "If you watched Tigers or Red Wings games through your cable package last year, there's a good chance no action will be needed to watch moving forward," Fidelman wrote. Source: The Detroit News

Around the Club

• Roster — The Tigers won't make their final Opening Day roster decisions until after they leave Florida, but they had an early decision to make on Austin Slater. Detroit granted the veteran outfielder his unconditional release after he exercised the release clause in his contract on Saturday. Source: MLB.com

• Injuries — Gleyber Torres was scratched from the lineup on March 21 due to lower back tightness and is expected to play March 23. Jake Rogers was placed in MLB concussion protocol after being struck in the face by his own bat while hitting in the cage, received stitches and was diagnosed with mild concussion but ran and caught a bullpen session on March 21. Source: MLB.com

• Prospects — Kevin McGonigle will not participate in Spring Breakout so he can focus on making the major league roster for Opening Day. McGonigle remains in strong consideration for the Tigers' Opening Day roster. Source: Motor City Bengals

• Rotation — Tarik Skubal will get the ball on Opening Day. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch revealed the full order for how the rotation will be set to begin the year from one through five. After Skubal gets things going on March 26, new ace Framber Valdez will be second on Friday, March 27 while Jack Flaherty closes out the series that Saturday in the third spot. Source: Sports Illustrated

• Spring Breakout — Pirates 8, Tigers 7 in the Spring Breakout competition. Tigers southpaw Joe Miller struck out five consecutive batters and six overall in 2 1/3 scoreless frames. Izaac Pacheco (DET No. 22) had two hits and an RBI. Source: MLB.com

Quick Hits

• Jason Benetti will be back for a third season as lead play-by-play voice for the Tigers and is expected to do more than 120 Tigers games, missing Sundays as the new lead play-by-play man for "Sunday Night Baseball."

• After briefly being shut down with right ribcage tightness, Beau Brieske returned to the mound Friday, hitting 96 miles per hour with his fastball and displaying "pretty good" stuff, and looks poised to break camp with the Tigers for a middle-relief role.

Next Game

Colorado Rockies — March 23, 9:10 PM ET, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale, AZ

Tigers Daily Report — March 23, 2026