Overview
- The team confirmed Tuesday that the right-hander exercised his 2026 player option to remain in Detroit.
- The option doubled from $10 million to $20 million after an escalator triggered at 15 starts, part of a two-year, $35 million deal that paid him $25 million in 2025.
- Flaherty finished 2025 at 8–15 with a 4.64 ERA over 161 innings, striking out 188, with a 3.85 FIP indicating stronger underlying performance.
- His return helps set a rotation core with Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize and Troy Melton, as Reese Olson rehabs a shoulder injury and Jackson Jobe recovers from Tommy John surgery.
- Opting in bypasses a potential qualifying offer and a shaky free-agent outlook after a down year, and Detroit could still pursue another veteran starter, according to team and media reporting.