Detroit Tigers fans have seen this movie before. Too many times. And yet, it still stings every single time.
To clear a 40-man roster spot for leverage reliever Kyle Finnegan, Detroit designated Justyn-Henry Malloy for assignment — and it’s one of those moves that makes you stop, blink, and mutter, “Wait… really?”
Malloy was never a star, but he was always something. Always intriguing. Always one adjustment away. Always that bat you talked yourself into believing would eventually click.
Acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Joe Jiménez trade back in December 2022, Malloy quickly became one of those classic Tigers development bets: elite plate discipline, loud Triple-A numbers, and just enough power to dream on.