Detroit Tigers, Game 36: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't
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The News' Tony Paul gives his quick takes on the Tigers' 5-4 loss to the Red Sox on Monday:
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One thing I loved
Ty Madden. That's it. That's the list.
On what was a day and night of mostly misery for Tigers fans — from the shocking Tarik Skubal news, to a bullpen implosion, to a rain and lightning delay, to the too-little-too-late offensive effort — Madden did something really impressive. Called up to take Skubal's spot on the roster as the Tigers had to hastily put together another bullpen game, Madden was the emergency bulk guy for manager AJ Hinch. And in his first appearance in the major leagues since 2024, he was outstanding.
Madden, a 26-year-old-right-hander who once upon a time was a first-round draft pick by the Tigers, threw five innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits and no walks. He tied his career-best with seven strikeouts. He actually left with the lead when the Tigers managed to take a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning on a hit batter, a walk and two Red Sox errors, before the relievers got rocked in the seventh.
Madden missed the entire 2025 season after being diagnosed with a rotator-cuff strain in spring training.
He looked pretty darn healthy Monday. At least somebody did.
A.J. Hinch's update on Tarik Skubal, who was placed on the injured list prior to today's game.
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 4, 2026
Watch the full media session here: https://t.co/GxWCaxqqFDpic.twitter.com/LGKlsTtwka
One thing I didn't
The Tigers entered 2026 with a franchise-record payroll of more than $235 million. Now, with Monday's loss of ace Tarik Skubal, who needs elbow surgery, nearly 40% of that payroll figure is currently on the injured list:
- Tarik Skubal, SP: $32 million
- Javier Baez, SS/CF: $24 million
- Justin Verlander, SP: $13 million
- Casey Mize, SP: $6.15 million
- Zach McKinstry, IF: $4.2 million
- Will Vest, RP: $3.95 million
- Beau Brieske, RP: $1.157 million
- Reese Olson, SP: $818,000
- Parker Meadows, CF: $805,300
- Connor Seabold, RP: $800,000
- Trey Sweeney, SS: $788,700
- Troy Melton, P: $785,500
- Jackson Jobe, SP: $784,300
- Bailey Horn, RP: $784,100
- Total: $90.02 million
And that doesn't include the salaries of second baseman Gleyber Torres ($22.025 million) and closer Kenley Jansen ($9 million), who are day-to-day with nagging injuries and are being closely monitored by manager AJ Hinch and the trainers. Jansen returned with a scoreless inning Monday, though, it's worth noting, the velocity wasn't great. Were those two salaries added to the mix, then you've crossed the 50% threshold. Yowza.
On Monday, RotoWire called the Tigers the most-injured team in baseball, by a wide margin, according to its "severity score" formula. And that was before the Skubal stunner.
A short n’ sweet edition of #RainDelayQuestions! pic.twitter.com/WkKb2vBpDb
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) May 5, 2026
Three stars
(Season total in parentheses)
▶ Rain Delay Questions (2) — This one featured Andy Dirks' Jenga set and Daniella Bruce's COVID-era cutout. Points docked, however, for Jason Benetti, who actually had the nerve to ask, "What's Bumpy Cake?"
▶ Dillon Dingler (8)
▶ Jarren Duran
Player of the game
▶ Ty Madden
Tigers' uniform tracker
- Traditional home whites: 11-2
- Alternate home oranges: 1-1
- Motor City Connect home blues: 0-1
- Traditional road grays: 4-10
- Alternate road blues: 2-4
Next Tigers game
▶ Game 37: Red Sox at Tigers, 6:40 Tuesday, Detroit SportsNet, 97.1
ICYMI: Yesterday's Tigers recap
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers recap, Game 36: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't
