The Tigers signed Serven to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Aram Leighton of Just Baseball reports.
Serven, 29, slashed .159/.243/.222 in 28 games with the Blue Jays this past season. It's possible he could win the backup catcher job in Detroit behind Jake Rogers if the Tigers want to give Dillon Dingler a little more seasoning in the minors.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Akil Baddoo: Pushed off 40-man
Rotowire
The Tigers designated Baddoo for assignment Tuesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
With the signing of Alex Cobb becoming official Tuesday, the Tigers needed to create room on their 40-man roster, so Baddoo will end up as the roster casualty. Baddoo slashed just .137/.220/.301 in 31 big-league games last season, though his .758 OPS and 29 stolen bases in Triple-A could be enough to attract attention from another organization.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Alex Cobb: Official with Tigers
Rotowire
Cobb passed his physical with the Tigers on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The Tigers agreed to a one-year contract with Cobb on Monday, a deal which includes $15 million for 2025 with incentives of $1 million apiece for reaching the 140- and 150-inning thresholds. Cobb dealt with injuries during his one season with the Guardians in 2024, but he logged 149.2 and 151.1 innings during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively, as part of the Giants' rotation.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Alex Lange: Participates in throwing program
Rotowire
Lange (lat) is playing catch from 120 feet, three times per week.
Lange underwent surgery on his right lat in June, which forced him to miss the remainder of the 2024 campaign. The right-hander's ability to be playing catch at this point is a positive sign for his chances to participate in spring training in a couple months. Lange appeared in 21 games out of the bullpen with Detroit last season, producing a 4.34 ERA and 1.77 WHIP with 21 strikeouts over 18.2 innings and he figures to operate in a similar role in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Tyler Mattison: To begin bullpen progressions
Rotowire
Mattison (elbow) has been cleared to begin his bullpen progressions this week.
Mattison is working his way back from UCL reconstruction surgery and is moving in the right direction. The team doesn't expect the right-hander to be ready for game action until June, but his status will be worth monitoring as he clears obstacles in his rehab.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Sawyer Gipson-Long: Continues throwing program
Rotowire
Gipson-Long (elbow) is playing catch from 120 feet, three times a week.
Gipson-Long underwent Tommy John surgery in April and then hip surgery in July, both of which he's slowly been working his way back from. The right-hander started four games with Detroit in 2023, producing a 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 26 strikeouts over 20 innings and he figures to have a role with the Tigers in 2025, once healthy.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Javier Baez: Begins running program
Rotowire
Baez (hip) has initiated a running progression and is expected to start light defensive drills this week.
Baez is working his way back from the arthroscopic surgery he underwent on his right hip in early September. The 32-year-old is expected to have a role with the Tigers in 2025, but he won't be handed everyday at-bats. Baez will likely ramp up his activity in the coming months and he has previously been described to have a "fighting chance" at being ready to go for Opening Day in late March according to Detroit's president of baseball operations Scott Harris.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Jace Jung: Undergoes wrist surgery
Rotowire
Jung underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure on his right wrist in October, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Jung had been dealing with right wrist inflammation late in the season and the 24-year-old is expected to be ready to go for spring training in February. Jung appeared in 34 games with the Tigers during the 2024 regular season, producing a .241 average with five doubles, three RBI and 14 runs scored over 79 at-bats. Manager A.J. Hinch noted Monday that Jung will be given an opportunity to win a job during spring training, and he'll see work at third base, second base and in the designated hitter slot, per Petzold.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Justyn-Henry Malloy: Trying out first base
Rotowire
The Tigers have asked Malloy to get work at first base during the spring, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
Malloy played strictly in the outfield during the 2024 campaign, but Detroit has its sights set on increasing flexibility throughout the roster heading into 2025. Colt Keith will also see time at first base during the spring, which would increase the number of infield combinations available for the club if this idea pans out.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Colt Keith: Getting work at first base
Rotowire
Detroit has asked Keith to take grounders at first base this spring, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.
This doesn't necessarily mean that Keith will see time during the 2025 campaign at first base, but if he fares well enough at first during the spring, it would give the Tigers more infield flexibility. Justyn-Henry Malloy was also asked to try his hand at first base, so the general focus around the organization appears to be increasing the number of potential infield combinations.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Alex Cobb: Gets one-year deal from Detroit
Rotowire
The Tigers have agreed to a one-year contract with Cobb, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Cobb has a connection with president of baseball operations Scott Harris, as the two were both with the Giants during the 2022 season. The veteran right-hander was limited to just 16.1 regular-season innings and 5.2 postseason frames with the Guardians in 2024 due to a variety of injuries but has typically been a solid mid-rotation starter when healthy. Cobb will get to pitch half his games in a pitcher-friendly venue at Comerica Park.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Eddys Leonard: Returns to Detroit as NRI
Rotowire
The Tigers re-signed Leonard to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Leonard was non-tendered last month but is now back in the Detroit organization as a non-roster invitee. The 24-year-old slashed .263/.326/.455 with 10 home runs during an injury-shortened 2024 campaign for Triple-A Toledo and is likely headed back there to start 2025.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Wilmer Flores: Back with Detroit as NRI
Rotowire
The Tigers re-signed Flores to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Flores was non-tendered by the Tigers in November following a 2024 campaign which saw him post a 7.84 ERA while being limited to just 31 innings because of shoulder trouble. The 23-year-old finished the season healthy and was considered a top-100 prospect a couple years ago, so retaining him on a minor-league deal looks like a no-brainer for the Tigers.
Tigers' Ricky Vanasco: Back in Detroit on MiLB deal
Rotowire
The Tigers re-signed Vanasco to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Vanasco was non-tendered by Detroit last week but returns to the organization on a minor-league pact. The right-hander spent most of the 2024 season at the Triple-A level, collecting a 2.45 ERA and 48:30 K:BB over 40.1 innings of work.
Ibanez agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Tigers on Friday to avoid arbitration, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
Ibanez took a step back during his second year with the Tigers, slashing .241/.295/.357 over 244 plate appearances during the regular season. However, the Tigers have deemed his performance worthy of a $633,900 raise from his previous salary. He's expected to remain in a utility role next year.
... See More... See Less
Tigers' Bailey Horn: Claimed by Tigers
Rotowire
The Tigers claimed Horn off waivers from the Red Sox on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
The Red Sox attempted to pass Horn through waivers in an effort to clear space on their 40-man roster, but the 26-year-old southpaw will instead head to Detroit and look to carve out a role. He struggled to the tune of a 6.50 ERA and 1.78 WHIP over 18 big-league innings in 2024, so he'll most likely report to Triple-A Toledo to begin the new season.
