Jack Flaherty and Thayron Liranzo squared off during the second day of the Detroit Tigers' live batting practice sessions on the TigerTown backfields.

Flaherty signed a two-year contract worth up to $45 million. His return creates a new level of competition in the Tigers rotation.

Flaherty will sign two-year, $35 million contract with an opt out, returning to the site of his career turnaround while taking a top starter off the free agent market.

After a seemingly quiet offseason, general manager Scott Harris and the Detroit Tigers made a significant signing that will also impact the roster.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty tosses the ball after giving up a triple to Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) AP

Flaherty returned as a free agent, agreeing to a $35 million, two-year contract that was finalized Friday. The right-hander gets a $5 million signing bonus payable on Feb. 11 pending confirmation of terms between Major League Baseball and the players’ association, and a $20 million salary this year.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty vs. Eddys Leonard, Tharyon Liranzo, Andrew Navigato in live batting practice Feb. 18, 2025, in Lakeland, Florida.

Baseball has a way of delivering great storylines, and sometimes, the script practically writes itself. Last July, the Detroit Tigers traded Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers for two prospects, including catcher Thayron Liranzo.