Tigers Daily Report
August 23, 2026
Executive Summary
The Tigers face the Royals at Kauffman Stadium at 2:10 PM ET today, with Framber Valdez slated to start for Detroit against Daniel Lynch IV for Kansas City. Rookie left-hander Andrew Sears is set to make his MLB debut on Sunday as the Tigers plan a bullpen game for the series finale.
Top Story
Sears Ready for Major-League Debut in Series Finale
Tigers manager AJ Hinch announced the club will purchase the contract of lefty Andrew Sears from Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, with plans to use him in bulk relief in a scheduled bullpen game. The 23-year-old Sears made his Triple-A debut with 9⅔ scoreless innings in two starts and previously posted a 2.57 ERA in nine outings at Double-A. A 10th-ranked prospect in the Tigers system, Sears jumped onto the organization's radar late last season when he posted a 3.44 ERA over his final seven starts at Double-A Erie. Hinch acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting this represents "a pretty big leap given he only had a couple of games in Triple-A."
Source: The Detroit News
Around the Club
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Game Recap — The Tigers suffered their fourth consecutive loss Wednesday, when Brandon Lowe homered off closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning to lift Pittsburgh to a 4-3 victory; Kansas City also beat Detroit 3-1 Saturday on Michael Wacha's seven strong innings. Source: ESPN
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Prospects — Tigers No. 3 prospect Bryce Rainer boasts 60-grade power and crushed a home run in his third straight game on Sunday. Source: MLB.com
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Schedule — The Tigers return home to face Tampa Bay on Aug. 24-26, then host the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 28. Source: MLB.com
Quick Hits
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James Outman, who went 0-for-6 with five strikeouts in the first two games, will sit the finale with Matt Vierling taking his spot in the outfield.
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Framber Valdez's original start has been pushed back—not due to injury—to accommodate the bullpen game Sunday.
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FanGraphs scouts praised Sears as a "low-slot lefty with a funky look" featuring a mid-90s fastball and sharp slider.
Next Game
Kansas City Royals — August 23, 2:10 PM ET, Kauffman Stadium
Tigers Daily Report — August 23, 2026