The Tigers have designated left-handed reliever Matt Gage for assignment, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. His spot on the roster goes to lefty Dietrich Enns, whose contract has been formally selected from Triple-A Toledo (a move that was first reported earlier in the week).
Gage, 32, signed a minor league deal over the winter and was selected to the big league roster a couple weeks ago. He’s tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings out of A.J. Hinch’s bullpen, albeit with a sub-par 3-to-2 K/BB ratio (12% strikeout rate, 8% walk rate). It’s the third season in which Gage has seen major league time. Despite having enjoyed success in small samples during all three seasons — Gage has a career 1.42 ERA — he’s only gotten 25 1/3 innings in the big leagues.
Detroit is Gage’s third major league team in three seasons. He’s also suited up for the Blue Jays and Astros. The lefty has fanned 22.5% of his opponents against a 10.8% walk rate. He’s never been an especially hard thrower, but this year’s 91.9 mph average fastball is down noticeably from the 94 mph he averaged with the Astros in 2023. Be that as it may, Gage pitched well with the Tigers and was excellent in Triple-A Toledo prior to his promotion as well: 32 1/3 innings, 1.67 ERA, 22.8% strikeout rate, 3.3% walk rate. That’s Gage’s seventh season logging time in Triple-A. He has a career 4.64 earned run average at the top minor league level. He’s logged a 4.64 ERA in 316 1/3 innings there and recorded a 20.9% strikeout rate with an 8.1% walk rate.
Gage is out of minor league options, so the Tigers didn’t have the ability to simply send him to the minors without first exposing him to waivers. Now that he’s been designated for assignment, he can be traded or placed on waivers at any point in the next five days. Waivers are a 48-hour process, so we’ll know within the next week what Gage’s next step is. Because Gage has been outrighted in the past, he’ll have the option to elect free agency and explore opportunities with other teams if he passes through waivers unclaimed once again.
He’s the logical guy to cut from the 26-man roster, and since he’s out of options DFA’ing him also frees up the 40-man spot at the same time. Makes sense.
Since Gage was not hit hard and is a left-hander (LHPs are not a forte of the Tigers’ bullpen), I would have deemed Hernandez more expendable. But Harris saw it otherwise, ideally rightfully so.
Gruß,
BSHH
I think it’s mostly due to Hernandez throwing 10mph faster.
I wonder why Gage never stuck on with a team. He was great for the Jays and boom he was gone.
12
Should be his number.
….not 91, nor 99……
12.
12 should be his number.
Looks like, Ricky lost it…
The Tigers’ uniforms have more belt loops than those of any other team, as their uniform pants do not feature the wide “tunnel” loops that appear on most baseball pants.
Advantage Tigers.
See, Hinch has nothing to do with it and you guys keep giving Hinch and Fetter all the credit…….
Ainsi va la vie
C’est comme ça…..
@Saber How could someone possibly know this? You must have an finely developed sense of observation.
For the Tigers, the ENNS is near !!
Expect a call from the Mets.
The next question is how long will Enns stay on the roster? Hopefully his 5 shutout innings today earns him another start. Bullpen days haven’t worked as well this year.
For what it’s worth, Hinch said in his post-game presser that Enns definitely earned another outing whether it’s a start or in the pen. Since he’s out of options, I was at least glad to hear that wasn’t going to be DFA’d after the game like we used to do after each time Drew Hutchison pitched. lol
Enns pitched 5 innings of shutout ball today too. Will be interesting to see if he sticks around. I don’t know his minor league options status. He’s been around a while. 30+ years old. Tigers are in need of healthy starting pitching. It looks like Olson will be back by the next time Enns turn comes around.
Flaherty was slightly better last yesterday. Skubal is a lock. Mize appears healthy and reliable. Gipson-Long should just start. Forget the opener stuff.
I wasn’t bothered by Gage. Hope he elects to resign with the Tigers if he isn’t claimed.
Enns and Montero are adequate, albeit underwhelming depth.
Mets?