Will

Vest

Vest has been a good reliever for the Tigers for the last two seasons and posted a 2.82 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 63/18 K/BB in 70 1/3 innings while picking up two saves. He doesn’t figure to have much fantasy value, but he’s an important member of the Tigers’ bullpen.

Usually a fireman, Vest came on to close this one out because Jason Foley and Tyler Holton have combined to pitch 6 2/3 innings over the past three days and were both unavailable in this one. Such is life when you’re winning every game you play and knocking on the door of a playoff spot. All three of these Tigers’ relievers are valuable in leagues that count holds, but Foley is still their go-to guy for saves.

Vest will rejoin the Tigers pen after three days away. He’s picked up a win, a save and three of his eight holds on the season this month.

Mason Englert is coming up to take Vest’s bullpen spot for a few days. Vest has a 3.20 ERA in 56 1/3 innings this season.

The Tigers also had Vest giving closing a try on Friday, but he failed then, taking a blown save and a loss. Nevertheless, he was back out there today and got the job done this time. Those desperate for saves should consider picking him up, since he looks like A.J. Hinch’s top choice for the moment.

Vest would have gotten the save had the Tigers employed a better right fielder, but it wasn’t meant to be tonight. The Tigers don’t have a closer at the moment, and it’s possible Vest will get additional save chances. Still, it doesn’t seem like a good enough bet to make him worth picking up in mixed leagues.

With Alex Lange and Jason Foley pitching in three of the last four games, Vest was tasked with closing out the game with a three-run lead in the eighth. He replaced Miguel Diaz with one out and a runner on. A double and a groundout brought a run in for the Dodgers, but Vest was able to escape the inning. He remained in for the ninth, striking out two batters for his second save of the season.

Vest entered the tenth inning with a precious one-run lead Saturday night in Anaheim. The pressure didn’t seem to phase him as he struck out two and allowed one hit to pick up his first save since May 2022. Alex Lange and Jason Foley are ahead of him on the depth chart and pitched earlier in the game, so don’t expect Vest to get too many more save opportunities.

The 28-year-old right-hander has been shelved since the end of June due to a right lower leg strain. Prior to landing on the injured list, he had registered a 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 32/9 K/BB ratio across 29 2/3 innings. Chasen Shreve was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Vest was pulled from Tuesday’s game in the second inning — after taking over for the injured Matthew Boyd (elbow) — due to the leg issue. Fortunately for Vest, it sounds like he should only miss a couple of weeks before being cleared to return to the Tigers’ bullpen. Anthony Misiewicz was recalled from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move prior to Tuesday’s game.