Tigers reliever Beau Brieske adds a curveball to his pitching arsenal

Tigers reliever Beau Brieske is incorporating a curveball into his repertoire to diversify his pitching mix. Having primarily relied on four-seam fastballs, changeups, and sliders that moved horizontally, Brieske sought a pitch with vertical movement to prevent hitters from zoning in on his existing patterns. The right-hander debuted the pitch during a Sept. 1 appearance against the Twins, throwing it seven times without allowing a ball in play. This development serves as a critical period for Brieske, who is in his second year of arbitration and remains subject to roster decisions. He continues to refine his grip on the new pitch while managing his forearm health during the transition. The Tigers return to the mound today at Progressive Field to face the Guardians.

• 4:03 PMYahoo Sports — Development never sleeps: Meet the new version of Tigers' Beau Brieske