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That will end the veteran right-hander’s season. Finnegan has been an unmitigated disaster for the past two months, posting a 10.20 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP over 15 innings in 19 appearances dating back to July 25. That’s certainly going to hurt him when exploring the free agent market over the winter.

Finnegan was called upon to bail out Drew Sommers with two men on and one out with the Tigers clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth inning. He then induced a weak ground ball from Salvador Perez that the Tigers turned into a game-ending double play. The 34-year-old hurler has done a nice job overall for the Tigers this season, compiling a 2.36 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 35/25 K/BB ratio over 45 2/3 innings of work while converting two saves.

Finnegan came on to protect a two-run advantage in the ninth and got into trouble as he allowed two consecutive one-out singles that put runners on the corners. The White Sox then dropped down a sacrifice bunt to score the tying run. Finnegan escaped further damage, but the Tigers went on to lose in the 10th as Drew Anderson blew another one-run lead. The Tigers’ bullpen is in complete shambles at the moment.

Finnegan threw 29 pitches on Wednesday, but the Tigers asked him for 17 more on Thursday and he delivered. The appearance lowered his ERA on the year to 0.57, though his underlying metrics are quite shaky. Kenley Jansen has taken the loss in his past two appearances, including a blown save on Wednesday, so the ninth inning could be more of a committee going forward. Drew Anderson is the only other Tigers pitcher with a save this season, but that was of the three-inning variety.

11 days after being agreed to, Finnegan’s contract is finally official. He’s become accustomed to closing with the Nats, but he’ll probably do more setting up for the Tigers with both Kenley Jansen and Will Vest in the fold.

Finnegan returns to the Motor City after a dominant post-deadline stint in which he posted a microscopic 1.50 ERA (1.97 FIP) and a 34.8 percent strikeout rate across 18 innings over 16 appearances. That level of dominance is almost certainly a small-sample outlier compared to his larger career body of work, which includes a strong 3.66 ERA (4.17 FIP) and 108 saves across 329 1/3 innings for the Nationals over a six-year span since 2020. However, Detroit still offers his clearest path to a ninth-inning role — and, by extension, sustained fantasy relevance — as he enters his mid-30s. He’ll presumably have an opportunity to overtake incumbent stopper Will Vest as the Tigers’ primary closer and profiles as a top-20 range option at the position heading into next season.

Finnegan was traded to the Tigers at the deadline last year and emerged as the team’s co-closer, posting a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, and 23/4 K/BB ratio in 18 innings while securing four saves. However, he was placed on the IL with an adductor strain at the beginning of September and missed the majority of the month. If he re-signs, he and Will Vest would likely continue as a closer committee in Detroit.

Finnegan made just one rehab appearance, but apparently that was enough. The 34-year-old will return to a high-leverage role with Detroit after missing just under three weeks with adductor strain.

Finnegan, returning from an adductor strain, struck out one and walked one before being lifted. No word yet on whether he’ll make one more rehab appearance or get activated this weekend.

Finnegan figures to be ready to rejoin Detroit’s high-leverage relief mix for the final week of the regular season and should be a full-go in time for the playoffs. The 34-year-old former Nationals closer reeled off 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless frames over 12 appearances for the Tigers after being acquired at the trade deadline prior to hitting the injured list back on September 1.

Finnegan’s return would help bolster Detroit’s high-leverage mix heading into the playoffs. The 34-year-old former Nationals stopper will likely need at least one or two minor league rehab outings before he’s cleared to return for the home stretch. He’s been out since early September recovering from an adductor strain.