Detroit Tigers option Beau Brieske to Triple-A Toledo, call up lefty reliever Matt Gage

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2 days ago

BALTIMORE — Beau Brieske needed a reset.
The Detroit Tigers optioned Brieske to Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, June 12, less than 24 hours after the right-handed reliever allowed five runs in a 10-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Tigers, though, weren't just reacting to a poor performance in a lopsided defeat.
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Brieske had a 6.55 ERA in 22 games.
"We got to get him executing better," manager A.J. Hinch said before Thursday's game. "This is a guy that I really need to turn to quite often in the bullpen. He needs a reset to get himself back in the strike zone, utilizing all of his pitches — leading to better results."
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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Beau Brieske (4) delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field in Chicago on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
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To replace Brieske, the Tigers selected left-handed reliever Matt Gage from Triple-A Toledo, creating a spot for him on the 40-man roster by transferring right-hander Jackson Jobe — set for Tommy John surgery — to the 60-day injured list.
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Gage, 32, had a 1.67 ERA in Triple-A Toledo, with four walks and 28 strikeouts over 32⅓ innings in 23 games. When he pitches for the Tigers, it'll mark his third MLB season. He previously appeared in 11 games with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022 and five games with the Houston Astros in 2023.
For the Mud Hens, Gage threw 46.2% cutters, 21.9% four-seam fastballs, 13.9% sinkers, 10% changeups and 8% sweepers. His fastball averaged 92.3 mph.
"There's really no words when you're playing a kids game," said Gage, who owns a 1.83 ERA with nine walks and 20 strikeouts across 19⅔ innings in his MLB career. "You're just out there having fun and taking it day by day — every second. You never know when the dream is going to be over."
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The Tigers promoted Gage, in part, because of their upcoming opponents through the end of June: The Cincinnati Reds have five left-handed hitters (including switch-hitters) among their 13 position players, while the Pittsburgh Pirates five, the Tampa Bay Rays have seven, the Athletics have five and the Minnesota Twins have five.
Lefties are hitting .105 with a .425 OPS against Gage in his 16-game MLB career.
"We talked about a hip shift and lead leg block," Gage said of his biggest improvement in Triple-A Toledo. "As I land, instead of letting (my knee) rotate, just pull the right hip back. That's gotten me over the front side a little bit more, and the metrics and the velocity have gone up a little bit."
Detroit Tigers pitcher Matt Gage throws against Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning of a Grapefruit League game at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
The Tigers signed Gage to a minor-league contract in December 2024.
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"He has gotten a little taste of the big leagues before," Hinch said, "but he really performed his way here. He forced his way to being in the consideration by how he pitches and the stuff that he was showcasing when he got on the mound. We're happy to add him."
As for Brieske, he has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo for the first time since March 2024, when he didn't make the Tigers' Opening Day roster.
The 27-year-old became a valuable high-leverage reliever in 2024, but his performance hasn't been the same in 2025.
Not only did Brieske post a 6.55 ERA, but he also issued 12 walks with just 16 strikeouts across 22 innings in 22 games, surrounding 24 hits, including five home runs.
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"This has been building over the course of a few outings for him," Hinch said, "where execution and pitch usage just wasn't going well for him. Could be a short stint, could be a longer stint. But the most important part for Beau is get back to being the aggressor on the mound and locating pitches."
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Reese Olson update
Right-hander Reese Olson (right ring finger inflammation) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, June 11. The 25-year-old was not available Thursday in the clubhouse to speak to reporters, but Hinch said Olson threw "a couple" of changeups as a test run, "but he's still not back to full arsenal yet."
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The finger has been causing continued discomfort when Olson throws his changeup, which is why he received an injection June 2 to treat the remaining inflammation.
That was 10 days ago.
It's unclear if Olson felt irritation when he threw his changeup in Thursday's bullpen.
"We'll see what's next for him," Hinch said. "We've got to keep building his capacity. That's the biggest thing. Now that he's been down for a few weeks, making sure that he doesn't lose the ability to get up three or four times and go."
Olson — who has a 2.96 ERA in nine starts — hasn't pitched for the Tigers since May 17 against the Toronto Blue Jays, which is when the finger issue impacted his changeup. He has been throwing all of his other pitches without restrictions in bullpen sessions throughout the rehab process.
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His changeup is his best pitch.
"He's mixing in some changeups," Hinch said, "which is a good sign of progress."
Alex Cobb in Triple-A Toledo
Right-hander Alex Cobb (right hip inflammation) completed the third start of his rehab assignment. This time, the 37-year-old pitched for Triple-A Toledo for the first time, after two starts with High-A West Michigan.
He struggled again.
"I know it was a little bit of a grind for him," Hinch said.
Cobb allowed one run on one hit and three walks with two strikeouts across two innings, throwing 49 pitches. He threw 24 pitches in his first rehab start, then 34 pitches in his second rehab start.
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"He was better in the second inning than he was in the first inning," Hinch said, "but there's still work to do."
The biggest issue: Cobb — who signed a one-year, $15 million contract after contemplating retirement for health reasons — is pitching through lingering hip pain, which is evident almost every time he moves his body, especially at the end of his delivery.
"The sheer volume of pitches in a short period of time wasn't ideal for him," Hinch said. "It's probably no better, no worse right now with where he's at. He changed locations to go to Toledo. It's a whole other level and a whole different challenge for him."
Contact Evan Petzold at [e-mail] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers option Beau Brieske to Toledo Mud Hens, select Matt Gage