The 2022 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 122nd season and the 23rd at Comerica Park. This was the Tigers' second season under manager A. J. Hinch. Opening Day was held on April 8 and they hosted their divisional rival, the Chicago White Sox and the season ended on the road against the Seattle Mariners on October 5. The team wore KB patches in honor of former Tigers player and coach Kimera Bartee who died on December 20, 2021 at the age of 49.
On August 10, after accumulating a 43–68 record, the Tigers fired General Manager Al Avila after 21 seasons with the team. On September 19, the Tigers hired former San Francisco Giants General Manager Scott Harris as their new President of Baseball Operations.
The Tigers finished the season at 66–96, fourth place in their division, and failed to make the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the longest active playoff drought in the American League and Major League Baseball. Statistically, the Tigers were one of the worst-hitting teams in baseball this season. Their .231 team batting average ranked 25th in the majors, while the team finished dead last (30th) in home runs with 110.
Offseason
Lockout
The expiration of the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Major League Baseball Players Association occurred on December 1, 2021 with no new agreement in place. As a result, the team owners voted unanimously to lockout the players stopping all free agency and trades. The next day, Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred announced a lockout of players, following expiration of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). On March 10, 2022, the MLB and MLBPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, thus ending the lockout. Although MLB previously announced that several series would be cancelled due to the lockout, the agreement provides for a 162-game season, with originally cancelled games to be made up via doubleheaders.
Rule changes
Pursuant to the new CBA, several new rules were instituted for the 2022 season: The National League will adopt the designated hitter full-time. The postseason will expand from ten teams to twelve. Advertising patches and decals will appear on player uniforms and helmets for the first time. Due to the shortened spring training, teams will be able to carry 28 players from the start of the 2022 regular season through May 1. After May 1, teams must reduce their rosters to 26 players.
Also, a draft lottery will be implemented, beginning with the 2023 draft.
Coaching staff
On January 27, 2022, the Tigers promoted Toledo Mud Hens manager Gary Jones to first base coach for the major league team, succeeding Kimera Bartee who passed away suddenly in late 2021. Former Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon was hired to succeed Jones as Toledo Mud Hens manager.
Trades
On November 3, the Tigers traded minor-league infielder Nick Quintana to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for catcher Tucker Barnhart. On November 7, the Tigers exercised Barnhart's $7.5 million contract option for the 2022 season, signing him to the team. On April 4, the Tigers traded infielder Isaac Paredes and a competitive balance round B pick in the 2022 MLB draft to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for outfielder Austin Meadows. On April 13, the Tigers acquired minor-league utility player Jamie Westbrook from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations and assigned him to the Toledo Mud Hens. On August 2, the Tigers traded outfielder Robbie Grossman to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Kris Anglin. On August 2, the Tigers traded pitcher Michael Fulmer to the Minnesota Twins for pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long. On August 14, the Tigers acquired minor league pitcher Ricardo Sánchez from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.