DETROIT — The Tigers have made so many bullpen moves from series to series lately that the last spot has felt like a revolving door. With Alex Lange’s return, however, the revolving door brought in a welcome face.
Fourteen months after Lange underwent surgery on his right lat and faced an uncertain future, the former Tigers closer couldn’t stop smiling. He has been a familiar face in Detroit at various stages of his rehab process, but after watching the Tigers ride into the playoffs without him last fall, the 29-year-old returns from the 60-day injured list with a chance to become a big part of this year’s run.
“It’s been a long 14 months,” Lange said, “but I’m excited to be back here in the locker room again. It felt like Christmas morning waking up, coming here and getting to put a jersey on. That’s pretty cool.”
Lange’s next outing will be his first in the Majors since May 22, 2024. He was optioned to Triple-A Toledo and made just nine appearances for the Mud Hens before a freakish injury on the mound on June 14. He was diagnosed with an avulsion in his right lat and underwent season-ending surgery shortly afterward.
Lange was emotional last June when he talked about the injury, knowing the long road ahead. It made the comeback that much sweeter.
“I think all the tears are out by now,” he said Monday. “When you know you’re going to be on the shelf for a while, it’s tough. You have to deal with it and manage the bumpy road. Makes it a little more fun when it’s not-so-smooth sailing.
“I’m very grateful. I think I’ve grown up a lot. A lot has changed in the last 14 months, and I’m excited to go out there and be a part of this team. It’s cool to wear the Olde English D again today.”
Manager A.J. Hinch has seen the growth from Lange, who led the Tigers with 26 saves in 2023.
“I don’t think he’s ever taken anything for granted,” Hinch said, “but he’s also been in Detroit for the majority of the season, probably feeling a little helpless, just because he’s been working but also watching a lot. He’s a guy who thrives on adrenaline, so I think he’s just learned a little bit of perspective watching this team over the course of 120-130 games.”
The Tigers have been meticulous with Lange’s rehab process, which included 17 outings over the past seven weeks between High-A West Michigan and Triple-A Toledo. He posted a 4.73 ERA over 15 appearances for the Mud Hens, but five of his seven runs allowed came in one outing. He has allowed one run on two hits over 6 2/3 innings since, with no walks and eight strikeouts.
“Early on in the rehab, I was getting outs, but I felt like my stuff wasn’t there,” Lange said. “I felt like I was laboring a little bit. Something clicked probably four weeks ago, and then I look up on the scoreboard, and I’ve walked everybody and the stuff’s everywhere. But the velo was back, the breaking stuff was back, the changeup was there, just the results weren’t. So I had to go out, tighten everything up and execute, get back to pitching moreso than throwing.”
With the Tigers opting for more right-handed relievers and fewer lefties against an Astros lineup that’s missing left-handed slugger Yordan Alvarez, Detroit saw an opportunity to bring Lange back, swapping him for lefty Bailey Horn. It doesn’t mean Lange won’t return to Toledo at some point if the Tigers use another lefty, but his combination of a 95-96 mph fastball, buckling breaking ball and adrenaline-fueled aggressiveness can find a role in a bullpen that has been flexible on late-inning matchups — if he can continue throwing strikes.
