Will Vest
William Lane Vest is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He previously played in MLB for the Seattle Mariners. Vest made his MLB debut in 2021.
Career
Amateur career
Vest attended Ridge Point High School in Sienna, Texas. He played for the school's baseball team as a shortstop. He enrolled at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he played college baseball for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. Vest became a pitcher in college.Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers selected Vest in the 12th round, with the 365th overall pick, in the 2017 MLB draft. Vest made his professional debut with the Low-A Connecticut Tigers, posting a 3–1 record and 2.83 ERA in 21 games. He split the 2018 season between the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps and the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, recording a cumulative 4–4 record and 5.18 ERA in 30 appearances. In 2019, Vest split the year between Lakeland, the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, pitching to a 3–5 record and 3.27 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 55 innings pitched in 37 games between the three teams.Vest did not play in a game in 2020, as the minor league season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seattle Mariners
On December 10, 2020, the Seattle Mariners selected Vest from the Tigers in the Rule 5 draft. He made the Mariners' Opening Day roster and made his major league debut in relief on Opening Day. On July 12, Vest was designated for assignment by Seattle after recording a 6.17 ERA in 32 relief appearances.Detroit Tigers (second stint)
Vest cleared waivers and Seattle returned him to the Tigers on July 17, 2021. The Tigers assigned Vest to Toledo. Vest made the Tigers' Opening Day roster for the 2022 season.On May 13, Vest picked up his first career save in a 4–2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He entered a bases-loaded situation with one out in the ninth inning, and struck out both batters he faced. On May 20, Vest was placed on the non-injury inactive list. He returned to the Tigers on May 31.
The Tigers optioned Vest to Toledo to start the 2023 season. On April 18, 2023, Vest was called up from Toledo to be the 27th man on the roster during a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. He was sent back down to Toledo without appearing in either game. Vest returned to the Tigers three days later after another pitcher ended up on the injured list. On June 26, 2023, Vest had to enter the game in the first inning after starter Matthew Boyd left the game suddenly with elbow discomfort. Vest had to leave the game the following inning with right knee discomfort. He was placed on the injured list the next day along with Boyd. In his abbreviated 2023 season, Vest pitched innings, striking out 56 batters and posting a 2.98 ERA.
In 2024, Vest primarily filled middle relief and setup roles for the Tigers. He posted a 2.82 ERA with 63 strikeouts in innings.
On January 9, 2025, the Tigers and Vest agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract, avoiding arbitration. While manager A. J. Hinch does not name a full-time closer, Vest received the majority of the closing opportunities in 2025. He had 15 saves as of the All-Star break, while teammate Tommy Kahnle was next closest with 9. By season's end, Vest had a team-leading 23 saves, with a 3.01 ERA and 75 strikeouts in innings. Vest earned a save in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Cleveland Guardians. He also pitched the final innings of the clinching Game 3 victory, but it was not a save situation when he entered. Overall in the 2025 playoffs, he pitched 8 innings, allowing only 2 hits and no runs.
On January 6, 2026, the Tigers and Vest agreed on a one-year, $3.95 million contract, avoiding arbitration.