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.
SS’s always have value. Sweeney can play many other positions as well. He makes for a decent back up at any IF position.
As to Smith, he had a lot of hype when he first came up, but the organization seems to have soured on him for some reason. I would not expect him to clear waivers, if he’s not traded.
I agree that is why they would keep Sweeney over Smith. I feel like we have many infielder options that have passed him by though, but if they don’t think Smith is good enough to be on the team they might as well trade him. It’s nice finally having depth! We cut 3 lefty relievers last year and they are still going to be pitching for the teams that claimed them this year. Smith will latch on to a team to most likely.
Sweeney or another pitcher. I don’t like that move.
Smith will be a great claim for someone. Mets should pick him up.
Harris tried a similar thing with Brebbia last year right before the season started. Didn’t go well, probably won’t with Seabold either. Also, I kinda forgot about Trey Sweeney. He will be obsolete once McGonigle steps foot on the field Opening Day.
Harris has been pretty bad with handling that last 40 man roster spot. Got rid of some decent players for players who were brought in and did nothing.
Smith is garbage. A AAAA pitcher
I disagree. He’s got a high upside arm from the pen. Just needs the right usage and coaching.
Smith will haunt the Tigers. I am not a fan of this move…but then, I don’t know anything about major league pitcher development.
Don’t understand why they didn’t put one of those 3 on the IL on the 60 day IL. Would buy some time and it’s doubtful any of them will make it to the club within 60 days anyway. But then I don’t agree with much the front office has done since they’ve been here!
I agree, Sweeney could be out 60 days easy with a shoulder injury.
Personally…I think Bailey Horn would have been a perfect choice. Hurt currently but not serviceable at all.
I didn’t see much out of D.Smith. He looks older than he is and never made a huge impression on me. That said, the Tigers sure to seem to believe Seabold has upped his game.
One guy from the prospect game intrigues me: pitcher Marcos Jimenez. Pitchers who can throw 98-100 are nice to dream on. I could see him being one of those relief prospects (like Joel Zumaya) who gets an early promotion because of his electric arm (but more toward the end of the year, not the start).
Nice outing for Seabold last night: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R/BB, 3 K. That extra 4 mph on the FB did seem to help. Tigers bullpen is much improved from last year.
Flaherty was Flaherty: good and bad. Vasquez was very good for SD.