Right-handed reliever Alex Lange has served as the de facto closer for the Detroit Tigers throughout the entire 2023 season. Manager A.J. Hinch doesn't like to name bullpen roles, but he hasn't shied away from using Lange in the ninth inning.
But lately, Lange has struggled, issuing too many walks, for the past two months.
In Saturday's 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, Lange walked three batters and recorded two outs in the ninth inning. Beau Brieske, a fellow right-handed reliever without end-of-game experience, replaced Lange to get the final out for the first save of his professional career.