The Detroit Tigers did not get off to the start that they needed to in their critical three-game set against the divisional rival Kansas City Royals on Friday evening, dropping a 5-2 decision to slip to 61-67 through the first 128 games.
The Tigers, who desperately need to start winning games if they want to keep their hopes of achieving a third straight berth in the MLB postseason alive, are hoping that their latest roster move can provide a jolt of badly-needed energy.
According to multiple reports, the Tigers have called up LHP Andrew Sears and are expected to give him his Major League debut on Sunday as part of their bullpen game in the series finale against the Royals.
Tigers beat writer Chris McCosky reported the following regarding Sears:
“Andrew Sears is here for an acclimation day,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He is expected to be activated and make his big league debut Sunday as bulk reliever in the bullpen game.”
The Detroit Tigers Are Calling Up LHP Andrew Sears To The Majors
In his most recent start on August 18 with Triple-A Toledo, Sears threw five no-hit innings against the Iowa Cubs with seven strikeouts.
He’s also seen time with the West Michigan Whitecaps and Erie SeaWolves.
A Rhode Island native, Sears began his college career at Rhode Island College before transferring to UConn. After being selected by the Tigers in the 2023 MLB Draft, Sears began emerging as an intriguing prospect in their system.
He broke out in 2024 with Low-A Lakeland, posting a 2.51 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 89.2 innings. After a rough start to 2025 at High-A West Michigan, Sears made several key adjustments and improved his performance, surrendering only seven earned runs across his next 40-plus innings.
The Tigers Have Dropped Six Of Their Last Seven Games
As of August 22, the Tigers are stuck in fourth place in the American League Central Division standings with a 61-67 record, and have fallen six full games back of the Chicago White Sox for the Division lead.
They’re also now 2.5 games back of the final Wild Card playoff berth in the American League standings.
They have two more games in their current series against the Royals before they return home to face both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who now feature ex-Tigers ace Tarik Skubal on their mound as they attempt to win their third straight World Series title.
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