The Tigers announced they’ve designated reliever Dylan Smith for assignment. They needed to open a 40-man roster spot for rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle, who is breaking camp. Detroit also placed three players on the injured list, retroactive to March 22: Sawyer Gipson-Long (left oblique strain), Bailey Horn (elbow arthroscopy), and Trey Sweeney (shoulder strain). Sweeney goes on the 10-day IL, while the pitchers land on the 15-day version.
Smith, 25, was called up last May. He made seven big league appearances, allowing two runs across 13 innings. The Alabama product recorded just four strikeouts while walking five batters and hitting three more. He spent most of the season’s second half on the minor league injured list. Smith was healthy this spring, tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings before being optioned.
The 6’2″ righty has a 94-95 mph fastball and a mid-80s slider. He has fanned nearly 26% of opponents with an ERA just under 4.00 over four seasons in the minors. Smith has a pair of options remaining and will be traded or placed on waivers within the next five days.
I would have rather kept Smith over signing Seabold.
Agreed, should have put one of those 3 IL players on the 60 day, we wouldn’t miss any of them if they wanted to keep Seabold.
Agreed should have at least stuck one of those 3 on 60 day IL.
I agree, I think put Sweeney on 60. Shoulders tend to take a while and I honestly would have kept Smith over Sweeney anyway. Sweeney doesn’t really have a spot on the roster anymore and a reliever that has strike out stuff/potential and has options seems more valuable at this time.