DETROIT — It was one year ago this week that Detroit Tigers reliever Alex Lange last pitched in a big-league game.
About three weeks after that, he suffered a devastating injury on the mound in Toledo.
Lange underwent lat surgery last June — technically called an avulsion procedure to repair the torn latissimus dorsi tendon — and has been rehabbing ever since.
The milestones have come slowly, and there have been setbacks.
Lange was throwing bullpen sessions back in February. The hope, albeit unstated, was that he would have progressed to simulated games and perhaps a rehab assignment by now.
But Lange was forced to pause his rehab due to a setback. On Saturday, he threw his first bullpen in several weeks. was 20 pitches at less than 100 percent effort, but it was a start.
“It felt good to get back off the mat,” he said. “Hiccups happen sometimes, especially with surgery and a weird injury. But it’s good to be back.”
Lange said his motivation to get healthy is rooted in helping the surging Tigers. But he knows he can only do that by getting fully healthy.
“Whatever the day brings, dominate it,” he said. “The best advice I got was: Beat the day. That’s all you can do. You have setbacks and successes. This team is doing so well, and you want to help, but you’ve got to take care of business first. Me at 90 percent isn’t good enough to pitch on this team. I need to be 100 percent and come back ready when it’s time.”
Lange, 29, was acquired from the Chicago Cubs as part of the Nick Castellanos deal in 2019. He was a starter then, but quickly embraced his new role as a reliever.
He made his big-league debut with the Tigers in 2021, became a mainstay in the bullpen in 2022 and then seized the closer role in 2023. Through it all, he maintained nasty swing-and-miss stuff with a slightly elevated walk rate.
But the walks went through the roof in 2024. Lange issued 17 free passes in 18 2/3 innings, in addition to two hit batters and four wild pitches.
The situation came to a head on May 22 in Kansas City. Lange allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in a miserable seventh inning. At one point, A.J. Hinch marched to the mound and delivered a blunt message.
Lange made progress with the Mud Hens, but he knew he had suffered a grave injury after throwing a fastball on June 14. He felt the tendon snap off the bone.
The cruel history has seemed to repeat itself for the Tigers’ closer this spring.
After Lange — the Tigers’ 2023 closer — endured a disastrous 2024, Jason Foley, the Tigers’ 2024 closer, has gone through an equally miserable 2025.
Foley recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, leaving his future with the Tigers in question.
After Lange — the Tigers 2023 closer — endured a disastrous 2024, Jason Foley, the Tigers’ 2024 closer, has gone through an equally miserable 2025.
Foley recently underwent season-ending shoulder surgery, leaving his future with the Tigers in question.
“My heart breaks for him,” Lange said. “He’s a really close friend. We’ve been through a lot. Seeing him go down sucks. But he’s strong. He’s been through this before. He’s going to tackle it and get back. We need him. He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”
Lange would like to once again be a big part of what the Tigers are doing, too. Even if the one-year anniversary stings, it’s also an inducement to get back.
“I think I’ve grown a lot. I’m kind of a new guy, a new player. Attention to detail is everything. Every rep matters. I’m thankful for the opportunity to grow, to get better, to reflect inward, and to come back stronger to help this team compete,” Lange said. “It’s a really good ballclub. People are starting to notice. I’m excited to help in whatever capacity I can.”
