The Tigers have designated right-hander Miguel Diaz for assignment, tweets Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Diaz, who’s out of minor league options, was informed earlier in the week that he hadn’t made the Opening Day roster, so this move was expected. Detroit also placed righty Sawyer Gipson-Long on the 15-day IL due to a groin strain.
Diaz, 29, has pitched in parts of six big league seasons — four with the Padres and two with the Tigers. He tossed 14 innings out of the Detroit ’pen in 2023, allowing just one run on eight hits and five walks with 16 strikeouts. It was a brief but dominant showing that surely enhanced his standing within the organization and gave him a chance to break camp with the 2024 club. However, Diaz struggled this spring, surrendering five runs on ten hits and five walks in 8 1/3 innings.
In prior seasons, perhaps the Tigers would’ve kept him and optioned someone else, but expectations in Detroit are shifting as the club enters more of a win-now mentality, emboldened by the strength of its emerging young core. Detroit also has a crowded bullpen featuring a blend of seasoned veterans (Shelby Miller, Andrew Chafin), emerging steady contributors (Alex Lange, Jason Foley, Tyler Holton) and former top prospects who clearly pitched their way into roster spots with standout spring showings (Joey Wentz, Alex Faedo). The bullpen mix was crowded enough that the Tigers optioned righty Beau Brieske, despite the 25-year-old tossing 13 2/3 shutout frames in Grapefruit League play.
Diaz’s lack of minor league options simply left him out of chances to make the club. The Tigers will have a week to trade the right-hander or attempt to pass him through outright waivers.
Sad.
He’s depth this year. You can argue Brieske should have made it over Wentz (I get the logic of why he didn’t) but not Diaz.
The Tigers said Brieske was sent down to work on his secondary pitches. I really like him but for some reason the Tigers don’t seem very high on the guy. I hope he gets a call up soon because he definitely deserves it.
Brieske, who revamped his breaking ball in the offseason, completed 13⅔ scoreless innings with and nine strikeouts in seven relief appearances in spring training. He gave up just three hits and two walks.
Detroit’s pitching is healthy, and for guys who are out of options but made the team will have to perform well this year too. I’d like to see Canha, and Gio move on at the trade deadline too..
Hash brown Cobra Kai!
How Miguel survived that fall in the school fight is beyond me. lol. Of course he wins it overall as of the end of season five he got Samantha.
Read this article and you would think the Tigers might be good this year!
I miss JIM PRICE!
Dan is still great but…
I MISS JIM PRICE!
He’s frolicking with the yellowhammers, teaching them the art of pitching.
“Nice area” “Wow!” RIP Jimmy
Diaz is pretty good, would be surprised he slides through waivers this time.
Remember Bum
I wanted to sign Anderson.
I think we would have been good for him.
Instead somebody got an unnecessary contract which, I hope, will be good too….