MLB

2025 Detroit Tigers Season Preview: Health Concerns Cloud High Hopes

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By
Colin Lynch
Author photo
Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published28 Feb 2025

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2025 Detroit Tigers Season Preview: Health Concerns Cloud High Hopes

There was a time, not long ago, when Detroit Tigers baseball felt like a distant afterthought in October. Years of rebuilding, frustration, and unmet expectations left fans longing for the days of Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera in their primes.

But in 2024, something changed.

The Tigers snapped a nine-year playoff drought, finishing with 86 wins and their first winning record since 2016. A young, dynamic pitching staff led by American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal propelled them into a Wild Card spot, and Detroit capitalized—sweeping the Houston Astros in the opening round before bowing out to division-rival Cleveland in the AL Division Series.

Now, as the 2025 season approaches, the mission is clear: Build on that momentum.

But as spring training unfolds, a pressing question lingers: Will the Tigers be healthy enough to take the next step?

A Pitching-First Identity Strengthened Even Further

Detroit’s success in 2024 was defined by its pitching.

Skubal, the unquestioned ace, posted an MLB-best 2.39 ERA, led the AL in wins (18) and strikeouts (228), and dominated hitters with an elite mix of velocity and command. As a team, the Tigers finished second in the AL in ERA (3.61) and WHIP (1.162), providing a sturdy foundation despite an offense that remained below league average in runs per game.

But rather than making major splashes to fix their 22nd-ranked OPS (.685), the Tigers doubled down on pitching, signing Jack Flaherty to a two-year, $35 million deal and bringing in veteran Alex Cobb on a one-year, $15 million contract.

Yet, just as spring camp opened, the first domino of concern fell.

Alex Cobb’s Health in Question as Tigers Await Clarity

Cobb, a 13-year MLB veteran, arrived at camp with what the team described as “hip inflammation,” an issue that immediately halted his throwing program. The 37-year-old has since undergone two separate treatments—a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and now an epidural injection—in hopes of accelerating his recovery.

But history isn’t on his side.

Cobb has never thrown more than 152 innings in a season, aside from a single outlier year in 2017 when he logged 179 1/3 frames for Tampa Bay. And while Detroit took a calculated risk in signing him, his immediate availability is already in doubt.

Without Cobb, the Tigers will lean even more on Flaherty, Skubal, Reese Olson, and Kenta Maeda, a group talented enough to keep them competitive but thin enough to raise concerns about depth.

Parker Meadows’ Throw Turns Into Unexpected Setback

Cobb’s health isn’t the only early concern for Detroit.

Outfielder Parker Meadows, a key young piece of the Tigers’ lineup, injured his right biceps on a routine throw to the infield during a spring game against the Phillies. What seemed harmless at first quickly escalated—tests confirmed “right upper arm inflammation,” and now Meadows is shut down from baseball activities indefinitely.

This is not the news Detroit needed.

Meadows, 25, provided valuable speed, defense, and developing power in 2024. While his .244 batting average and .695 OPS didn’t light up box scores, his ability to track down balls in center field and create havoc on the bases made him an integral part of the Tigers’ plans.

If Meadows is sidelined for an extended period, Detroit’s outfield depth will be tested early.

Matt Vierling’s Shoulder Adds Another Unknown

Manager A.J. Hinch also confirmed that Matt Vierling—who split time between third base and the outfield last season—is dealing with a mysterious shoulder issue.

How serious is it? That’s still unclear.

Vierling was one of Detroit’s most consistent hitters in 2024, producing 16 home runs and a .735 OPS. While those numbers aren’t superstar-caliber, his versatility and steady bat made him a valuable asset in a lineup still searching for firepower.

Javy Báez’s Comeback, Wilmer Flores’s Delayed Arrival

And then there’s Javy Báez.

The former All-Star shortstop is recovering from hip surgery, and Detroit remains hopeful he can return to form after a season-ending injury last year. If Báez can recapture even a fraction of his prime production, it would go a long way toward stabilizing an infield that lacks offensive punch.

Meanwhile, pitching prospect Wilmer Flores—once ranked as Detroit’s No. 2 pitching prospect—has also been shut down. His lingering arm issues add yet another layer of uncertainty to the team’s rotation depth.

Tigers’ Outlook: A Promising Team Facing Early Hurdles

The Tigers aren’t in crisis mode—far from it.

Their core remains intact, and their pitching is elite enough to keep them in contention. But health looms as a major X-factor, and Detroit can’t afford to fall behind in an increasingly competitive AL Central.

If Cobb’s return is delayed, if Meadows’ injury lingers, if Báez struggles in his comeback—Detroit could find itself in a precarious position early in the season.

But if Skubal continues his dominance, Flaherty finds his form, and the lineup takes a step forward, the Tigers could once again be playing baseball deep into October.

For now, the 2025 season holds great promise—but also early uncertainty.