Tigers Release Pitchers Gipson-Long, Horn
Detroit placed both right-handed pitchers on unconditional release waivers after a 76-86 season.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Baseball
The Detroit Tigers placed pitchers Sawyer Gipson-Long and Bailey Horn on unconditional release waivers, the team announced on X. The moves follow a 2026 season in which Detroit finished 76-86, fourth in the American League Central.
Why it matters
The releases clear roster space after a losing season and remove a pitcher who had 2023 success with the Tigers but struggled in later stints. Gipson-Long could still draw interest from another club given his prior MLB results.
Gipson-Long's ERA rose from 2.70 in 2023 to 7.18 in 2025 and 5.58 at Triple-A Toledo in 2026, where he logged 109 strikeouts. Whether either pitcher clears waivers or signs elsewhere has not been reported.
The players
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball franchise based in Detroit that play in the American League Central division.
Sawyer Gipson-Long
Sawyer Gipson-Long is a 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher who made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2023.
Bailey Horn
Bailey Horn is a right-handed pitcher who was placed on unconditional release waivers by the Detroit Tigers.
The details
Both pitchers were placed on unconditional release waivers, which allows any club to claim them or lets Detroit release them outright. Gipson-Long missed the 2024 season after surgery and spent 2026 in Toledo, where he went 3-6.
Timeline
2023: Gipson-Long made his MLB debut with Detroit.
2024: Gipson-Long missed the season after surgery.
2025: Gipson-Long pitched eight games for Detroit.
2026: The Tigers finished 76-86 and fourth in the AL Central.
November 4, 2026: Detroit announced the waiver placements.
Season Trajectory
The Tigers' 76-86 finish and fourth-place division standing set the context for roster churn heading into the offseason. Releasing mid-tier arms through unconditional waivers is a common way for losing clubs to reshape their pitching depth.
Clearing these two spots gives Detroit room to add arms before the next season. Fantasy managers tracking Gipson-Long should watch whether he lands with another organization.
The takeaway
Roster moves like these often signal a team clearing room for younger options after a losing year. Pitchers with prior MLB success can still find new opportunities after a release.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see Baseball coverage of the Tigers' offseason.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
