The Tigers have officially announced their 2026 Opening Day roster. The headliner is a rookie: Kevin McGonigle.
One of the top prospects in baseball, McGonigle forced his way onto the roster despite never having played a game beyond Double-A by answering every challenge from the Tigers in spring training. He will likely be their starting shortstop when they kick off the season Thursday afternoon against the Padres.
To make room on the 26-man roster for McGonigle, the Tigers optioned switch-hitting outfielder Wenceel Pérez to Triple-A Toledo. Pérez played 100 games for the Tigers last season, mostly in right field, and posted a solid .738 OPS, but hit just .190 with two extra-base hits this spring.
The Tigers' position-playing corps features only one other change from the end of last season: Matt Vierling is back after missing most of last year due to injuries, taking the place of departed infielder Andy Ibañez. Vierling, like 2025 All-Stars Javy Baez and Zach McKinstry, will play in both the outfield and the infield.
Catchers (2): Dillon Dingler, Jake Rogers
Infielders (6): Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres, Kevin McGonigle, Colt Keith, Javier Baez, Zach McKinstry
Outfielders (5): Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling, Jahmai Jones
On the mound, the Tigers will enter the season with what looks like one of the top rotations in the majors. Tarik Skubal, the two-time defending AL Cy Young, leads the way, followed by big ticket free agent and fellow lefty Framber Valdez. Justin Verlander will slot in fourth in his return to the Tigers, between fellow righties Jack Flaherty and Casey Mize.
The Tigers are entering the season with an eight-man bullpen, built around the late-inning trio of Will Vest, Kyle Finnegan and MLB's active saves leader Kenley Jansen, signed this offseason.
The most notable inclusion here is 29-year-old left-hander Enmanuel De Jesus, who's only pitched in two MLB games in his career -- back in 2023 -- and spent the last two seasons pitching in Korea. But De Jesus pitched well for the Tigers this spring, taking advantage of injuries to the likes of Troy Melton, Bailey Horn and Beau Brieske. The Tigers also kept recently-signed reliever Connor Seabold after losing Brieske to the 60-day injured list.
RHP: Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander, Casey Mize.
Will Vest, Kyle Finnegan, Kenley Jansen, Drew Anderson, Connor Seabold.
LHP: Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez.
Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, Enmanuel De Jesus.
