In a bid to spark a change in momentum, the Tigers announced a strategic pitching plan for Sunday. Jacob Waguespack was slated to open the game, with Andrew Sears stepping in for the bulk of the innings and making his major league debut. Manager A.J. Hinch had hinted at a call-up for Sears the day prior, and Detroit reshaped its rotation to accommodate the youngster, giving Keider Montero extra rest and shifting Framber Valdez to Monday.
Jacob Waguespack’s path back to the major leagues has been a winding one. At 32 years old, the right-hander from Prairieville, Louisiana, is listed at 6-foot-6. He played college baseball at Ole Miss before being drafted by Pittsburgh in the 37th round in 2012, a selection he did not sign. He later signed with Philadelphia as an undrafted free agent and eventually reached the majors with Toronto in 2019. His journey also included a stint with Tampa Bay in 2024 and two seasons in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes, where he was part of a 2022 Japan Series championship roster led by Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Detroit acquired Waguespack from Milwaukee in June for a player to be named later or cash, after he had posted a 1.66 ERA with 33 strikeouts over 21 2/3 innings at Triple-A. An upward mobility clause prompted Milwaukee’s decision, and the Tigers added him to the active roster within a couple of days. Since then, he has served in a relief role out of Detroit’s bullpen, offering flexibility as the organization searches for a spark during the opener’s role.
Andrew Sears’ debut adds another piece to Detroit’s effort to inject youth and velocity into the rotation. Sears, who turned 24 the following weekend, took a winding route to the majors. After two years at Division III Rhode Island College, he transferred to UConn, where the Tigers selected him in the 10th round of the 2023 draft, 290th overall. He is noted as the first pitching prospect from the current front office to reach the majors. In scouting reports, Sears is described as a high-intensity presence on the mound with a toolkit that includes a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s, touching higher, and a mid-80s sweeping slider designed to miss bats.
Sears’ ascent was delayed by a left elbow bone spur that kept him out late in spring training, but once he recovered, he posted strong numbers at Double-A Erie (2.57 ERA) and delivered a pair of scoreless outings covering 9 2/3 innings at Triple-A Toledo before earning the call to the majors. MLB Pipeline ranks Sears as the No. 14 prospect in Detroit’s system, and evaluators have highlighted his potential as a swingman or depth starter who can absorb innings and contribute in multiple roles. His presence gives the Tigers another option as they navigate a crowded schedule and look for viable rotation depth.
Detroit sits at 61-67, trailing in the American League Central standings and six games behind the division-leading White Sox. The Tigers remain in the mix for a Wild Card berth, with several teams ahead in the wild-card race. A left-handed arm with swing-and-miss potential could be a valuable addition to a thinner pitching staff as the stretch run begins, and Sears’ major-league debut represents a tangible step in that direction. Sunday’s matchup against Kansas City will test whether this new approach can yield the required spark.
Fresh risers from the farm system have often provided crucial lift for teams near the margins, and Detroit’s combination of a veteran opener and a young pitcher making his first appearance could be a strategic blueprint for the remainder of the season. The Tigers will need to sustain solid early innings, manage quality at-bats, and capitalize on opportunities to stay within striking distance of the postseason picture.
In summary, Detroit’s decision to deploy Waguespack as the opener, followed by Sears’ major league debut, marks a deliberate shift designed to reverse a slump and inject energy into a bullpen that has carried a heavy load in recent weeks. As the team contends with a compressed schedule and mounting pressure, the experiment aims to find a viable path to victory and keep playoff hopes alive as they head into the series finale against a Royals squad riding a winning streak.
