LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers reliever Kyle Funkhouser was guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster.
The 28-year-old showed his value in 2021, posting a 3.42 ERA with 38 walks and 63 strikeouts in 68u2153 innings over 57 games (two starts). He earned high-leverage situations and became an important member of bullpen.
But Funkhouser won't be in Detroit on April 8 for Opening Day.
He will be at the TigerTown complex in Lakeland, preparing for his delayed start to the regular season. The right-hander suffered a latissimus dorsi strain in mid-February, about three weeks before MLB's lockout ended, and wasn't pain free until last week.