DETROIT — Jack Flaherty on Tuesday exercised his option to remain with the Tigers for the 2026 season.

He will earn $20 million in his age-30 season.

“I love these guys,” Flaherty said in Seattle last month after the Tigers lost Game 5 of the American League Division Series. “I came back here for a reason, to be with these guys, play with them, and be part of this team. I didn’t want to leave last year. We’ve got a chance to do something special.

“It’s an incredible group.”

Flaherty, who initially signed with the Tigers before the 2024 season and was dealt to the Dodgers at the trade deadline, made 31 starts in the regular season and his 4.64 ERA doesn’t tell the whole story. He did his best work against the best-hitting teams in the higher-profile games, including back-to-back strong starts against the Yankees and Guardians in September, helping the Tigers recover and scramble into the postseason.

He also started and pitched well in the deciding Game 3 of the wild-card series against the Guardians and he pitched two scoreless innings in relief in the 15-inning loss to the Mariners in Game 5 of the division series.

But he also had long stretches throughout the season where he struggled with his mechanics which caused inconsistency with the quality of his pitches and command.

Given Flaherty’s recent history in free agency, his decision to return isn’t a surprise.

Last year at this time, he was coming off a strong bounce-back season in which he posted a sub-3.00 ERA (2.95) and helped the Dodgers win the World Series. But he didn’t attract the high-dollar, long-term deal he was seeking.

He ended up re-signing with the Tigers on a two-year, incentive-laden deal that now will end up totaling $45 million.

Had Flaherty declined the option and entered free agency, the Tigers likely would’ve made a qualifying offer to him ($22.05 million).

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