CLEVELAND -- Tanner Rainey has been somewhat unexpectedly dropped into the middle of a pennant race. And he’s not complaining.

“It’s been unbelievable. Since 2019, that’s been the goal, to get back into this type of situation. So having that opportunity here for this last week is big,” Rainey said before Tuesday night’s series opener at Progressive Field against the surging Guardians.

The right-handed reliever was recalled by the Tigers on Sunday after veteran Charlie Morton was designated for assignment .

Rainey, 32, has pitched in parts of eight big-league seasons, most notably with the Washington Nationals from 2019 to 2024. He won a World Series ring in 2019 as a rookie, pitching four times in the Fall Classic against A.J. Hinch’s Houston Astros.

Rainey had an excellent sophomore

See Full Page