Tigers trade for Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan

Chris McCosky, The Detroit News on Jul 31, 2025

Published in Baseball

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DETROIT — Tigers president Scott Harris is using the trade deadline to reshape his bullpen.

Having already added veterans Luke Jackson, Rafael Montero and Paul Sewald to the mix — three relievers who are in the process of redevelopment, either from injury or performance — the Tigers Thursday traded for right-hander Kyle Finnegan, who could make an immediate impact to the backend of the bullpen.

Finnegan, 33, was acquired from the Washington Nationals for a pair of High-A pitching prospects — 2024 draft picks Josh Randall (ranked No. 15 in the Tigers' system, per MLB Pipeline) and R.J. Sales.

Finnegan, in his sixth big-league season, has been the Nationals' closer the last two years. He saved 38 games in 43 chances in 2024 and was named to the National League All-Star team. This season, he'd saved 20 out of 26.

Born in Detroit but raised in Texas, Finnegan is a ground-ball collector (48%) with his four-seam fastball (96 mph) and splitter mix. He doesn’t have big strikeout numbers, but hitters whiff on his splitter 32.6% of the time.

Manager AJ Hinch doesn't limit any reliever to a specific role. He hasn't named a closer in three years. Most likely, Finnegan will be used according to matchups late in games, sharing leverage situations with Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle.

The Tigers will pick up the remaining $1.79 million of Finnegan's one-year, $5.375 million deal.

To clear a spot of Finnegan on the 40-man roster, the Tigers moved Sewald to the 60-day injured list. He will be able to come off the list Sept. 10.

The Tigers also made a minor-league trade Thursday, acquiring right-hander Codi Heuer from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations. He was assigned to Triple-A Toledo.

The 29-year-old has spent parts of three seasons with the White Sox, Cubs and got into one game with the Rangers this season. He features swing-and-miss slider (45% last season) and changeup (47% last season), off a 95-96 mph four-seamer.

To add Heuer to the 40-man, left-hander Dietrich Enns was designated for assignment. Enns, the Central Michigan University product, had a 5.60 ERA in seven games covering 17 1/3 innings.

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