Coleman, Wilson reunite with Tigers on deals

DETROIT -- Louis Coleman is back with the Tigers. So is Bobby Wilson, a few years removed.
The Tigers agreed to terms on Minor League contracts with Spring Training invites with four players on Wednesday, and the list looks familiar. Coleman, the sidearming reliever who made 51 appearances out of Detroit's bullpen this year, was one of four deals made official.
Wilson, who played in five games for the Tigers in 2016 in between being traded from Texas and back to the Rangers, returns to the organization. So do infielder Kody Eaves and catcher Kade Scivicque, who finished this past season in the Tigers farm system.
Coleman, who turns 33 years old in April, enjoyed a career resurgence in the Tigers' bullpen after being called up from Triple-A Toledo in May. The right-hander allowed 43 hits over 51 1/3 innings, with 24 walks and 41 strikeouts, recording five holds while suffering three blown saves.
The Tigers removed Coleman from the 40-man roster once the season ended, making him a free agent rather than going through arbitration.

Coleman's return provides Detroit with some much-needed bullpen depth after Alex Wilson was non-tendered last week, just as Wilson does for the club at catcher following James McCann's non-tender. The Tigers are expected to hand catching duties to Grayson Greiner and John Hicks, but they have been looking for veteran depth on Minor League deals.
Wilson, who turns 36 next April, spent most of last season with the Twins, including 45 starts behind the plate. He batted .178 (24-for-135) with eight doubles, two homers, 16 RBIs and a .523 OPS.

Scivicque, a fourth-round pick by the Tigers in 2015, returned to the organization after the Braves released him in April. The 25-year-old batted .256 with four homers, 25 RBIs and a .683 OPS between Altanta's Triple-A affiliate, Toledo, Double-A Erie and Class A Advanced Lakeland. He could rejoin the Mud Hens to share catching duties with prospect Jake Rogers or help handle the Tigers' highly touted pitching prospects in Erie.
The 25-year-old Eaves batted .198 (65-for-329) with four homers, 25 RBIs and a .581 OPS between Toledo and Erie, playing primarily at third base.