The Detroit Tigers lost starting pitcher Jackson Jobe to a season-ending injury on his right elbow recently, prompting concerns about the team’s pitching staff headed toward the second half of the 2025 season.

The Tigers’ starting rotation and bullpen suddenly seems significantly thinner now that the power arm Jobe has been sidelined.

On Tuesday, word broke that a well known Tigers reliever is headed to High-A West Michigan to began a rehab assignment with the White Caps, the precursor to a possible return to the big league level this season.

“Alex Lange (right lat repair) is beginning a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan,” reporter Evan Petzold wrote on X Tuesday afternoon.

Lange had a solid first four seasons of his MLB career with the Tigers, compiling ERAs of 4.04, 3.69, 3.68 and 4.34.

He has yet to pitch a game this season after appearing in 21 games with Detroit in 2024.

The Tigers currently have the tenth best ERA in the Major Leagues and have witnessed a strong season from the bullpen so far as Detroit is second in MLB in saves.

Detroit is near the middle of the pack among all MLB teams with 18 home runs given up. Its staff ranks 10th in MLB with 619 on the season, fifth among American League teams.

Detroit’s recent blowout loss to the Cincinnati Reds showed there may be more than a few chinks in the armor of manager AJ Hinch’s team.

If the Tigers get Lange back from injury this season, it may soften the blow they sustained when Jobe went to the IL for Tommy John surgery.