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Tigers Designate Justyn-Henry Malloy to Open Roster Spot for Kyle Finnegan

The 25-year-old bat-first hitter enters waivers, offering a low-cost right-handed platoon bat.

Overview

  • Detroit finalized Kyle Finnegan’s two-year, $19 million contract, which includes a $10 million mutual option for 2028 and up to $500,000 in annual games-finished bonuses.
  • Across 357 MLB plate appearances, Malloy hit .209; his strikeout rate improved to 25.2% in 2025 as his hard-hit rate fell to 31.1% and his barrel rate dipped to 4.1%.
  • Malloy was used largely as a DH and pinch-hitter in 2025 and has graded as a below-average defender with -4 Defensive Runs Saved.
  • It is the first DFA of Malloy’s career after appearing in 52 games for Detroit last season, placing him on waivers where he could be claimed or traded.
  • Detroit acquired Malloy from Atlanta in the December 2022 Joe Jimenez trade, and his prior success versus left-handed pitching has prompted outside speculation about a potential claim by teams such as the Yankees.