The Tigers announced (via Twitter) that they have signed Jair Jurrjens to a minor league contract. Jurrjens declined an outright assignment from the Orioles last week, electing free agency instead. He will join Triple-A Toledo on Friday.
The 27-year-old Jurrjens returns to the team that signed him as an international free agent back in 2003 after a lengthy stint with the Braves and a half season in the Orioles organization. Jurrjens was traded from the Tigers to the Braves along with Gorkys Hernandez in exchange for Edgar Renteria in 2007. From 2008-11 with Atlanta, Jurrjens pitched to a 3.34 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 671 2/3 innings. He finished third in th 2008 NL Rookie of the Year voting and earned an All-Star berth in 2011.
Following a knee injury, however, Jurrjens has been unable to get his career on track. He's thrown just 55 2/3 innings at the big league level over the past two seasons, posting an unsightly 6.63 ERA. In 94 2/3 innings for Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate this season, Jurrjens posted a 4.18 ERA with 4.9 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9.
