Hanifee, Brant Hurter and Andrew Chafin are likely competing for Detroit's final bullpen spot to begin the regular season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hanifee is a righty, while Hurter and Chafin are southpaws, so the decision could come down to how manager A.J. Hinch decides to construct his bullpen. Even if Hanifee doesn't make the cut initially, he figures to be in the mix for MLB action at some point this year. Hanifee impressed in a small sample last year, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings for the Tigers.

After tossing two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Hanifee now has a 0.00 ERA and 0.82 WHIP across 7.1 innings this spring along with seven strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Hanifee was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers in 2024, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings after getting called up to the majors in early August. The righty often served as an opener and gave Detroit some length out of the bullpen. Based on his strong showing last year and impressive spring so far, Hanifee should have a roster spot locked up, and he may see more high-leverage work as the season progresses if he continues to pitch well.

Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opening pitcher in Friday's game versus the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

It's the third opener assignment this season for Hanifee, who went a combined 2.2 scoreless innings the first two times. Casey Mize is one candidate for bulk relief Friday, but the Tigers have not divulged their plans.

Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opener in Saturday's game against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Hanifee has posted an impressive 1.47 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 18.1 innings in the majors this season, and he'll now be trusted to make his second career MLB start. He will likely be removed from the game after an inning or two, at which point Brant Hurter is expected to pitch in bulk relief.

Hanifee (0-1) allowed an unearned run on two hits across an inning of relief to take the loss Monday against the Padres. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Hanifee didn't help his own cause, as a throwing error on a soft single by Mason McCoy allowed the batter to get into scoring position with one out in the third inning. Luis Arraez then drove McCoy in, which saddled Hanifee with his first loss in the big leagues across 15 appearances the last two years. The 26-year-old righty has actually pitched pretty well for the Tigers, as he lowered his season ERA to 1.53 after not allowing any earned runs Monday. Hanifee should continue to see steady work out of Detroit's bullpen.

Hanifee tossed two scoreless innings of relief in Friday's 3-0 loss to the Yankees. He walked one and struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Hanifee followed opener Beau Brieske, who worked the first inning. Hanifee was effective once again in relief, and after a rough first appearance of the season back on Aug. 1, the righty has now logged nine scoreless innings in his last five outings. The 26-year-old is still in a mostly low-leverage role at the moment, but Hanifee could move up the bullpen pecking order if he keeps pitching well.

Hanifee will serve as the Tigers' opener during Thursday's game against the Mariners.

EDGE Analysis

Hanifee has allowed two earned runs in four innings since having his contract selected from Triple-A on Aug. 1, and he'll now make his first MLB start after pitching the ninth inning of Wednesday's contest. The 26-year-old righty worked primarily as a starter throughout his minor-league career up until this season and is still capable of pitching multiple innings, but he will likely be pulled after one frame for Kenta Maeda, who is expected to pitch in bulk relief Thursday.

The Tigers selected Hanifee's contract from Triple-A Toledo on Thursday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hanifee made three appearances with the Tigers last season but has spent all of 2024 with Toledo after re-signing on a minor-league contract. The 26-year-old has put up a 5.17 ERA at Toledo, but a 53:14 K:BB over 47 innings in more promising.

The Tigers reassigned Hanifee to minor-league camp Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Hanifee made three relief appearances for the Tigers during the 2023 campaign and rejoined Detroit on a minor-league deal in the offseason after being non-tendered in November, but he never looked to be a realistic candidate to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander is expected to report to Triple-A Toledo to begin the 2024 season.

Hanifee signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Friday and received an invitation to major-league spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Tigers non-tendered Hanifee earlier in the offseason, but the team will keep him around on a minor-league pact. Hanifee gave up three runs across five innings in three appearances with the Tigers last season, and he logged a 4.38 ERA through 90.1 frames at Triple-A Toledo.