The Tigers have designated pitcher Kevin Whelan for assignment, John Wagner of the Toledo Blade tweets. The move clears space on the Tigers’ 40-man roster for Jim Johnson, who will be promoted Sunday.
Whelan was one of several relievers promoted earlier this week as the Tigers’ bullpen attempted to recover from a 19-inning game against the Blue Jays. The 30-year-old appeared in only one game with the Tigers before they optioned him back to Triple-A Toledo. (He also appeared in two games with the Yankees in 2011 in his only other year in the big leagues.) He has a 1.80 ERA with 10.8 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 40 innings in Triple-A this season.
Tigers are desperate. They are on their FOURTH Closer with experience this year (Nathan, Soria, Hanranan and now Johnson). Law of averages indicate that one will pan out.
Perhaps Johnson just needed a break and a change of scenery?