Tigers add reliever Del Pozo on Minors deal

The Tigers added to the pitching depth in their system Thursday by signing former Pirates and Angels left-hander Miguel Del Pozo to a Minor League contract. The deal does not include an invite to Major League camp in Spring Training, but it puts him in line for a potential callup at some point.

The 28-year-old Del Pozo pitched in five games last year for Pittsburgh, allowing seven runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings with eight walks and two strikeouts. His last appearance came against the Tigers in Detroit’s wild 17-13 victory at PNC Park on Aug. 7, when he allowed three runs on five hits in two innings.

Del Pozo also pitched in 17 games for the Angels in 2019, allowing 11 runs on 10 hits over 9 1/3 innings with eight walks and 11 strikeouts. More recently, Del Pozo has had a strong winter for Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican League, with six innings of one-hit ball, two walks and eight strikeouts.

Del Pozo pairs a fastball at 93-95 mph with a curveball in the low 80s. The curveball has been a swing-and-miss pitch for him, but the fastball has been hit hard. He also has struggled with command.

The signing is the third Minor League deal the Tigers have made with a lefty reliever this offseason. They signed former Draft pick Locke St. John earlier this week, and brought back Ian Krol last month. Detroit has Gregory Soto, Daniel Norris and Tyler Alexander available at the Major League level, though Norris and Alexander are expected to compete for rotation spots in Spring Training.

Haase outrighted to Toledo

Catcher Eric Haase, who was designated for assignment last month, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo, the Tigers announced.

The 28-year-old Haase, who was born in Detroit and played high school ball at Divine Child High School in Dearborn, played seven games, including five starts behind the plate for his hometown team last year. He went 3-for-17 with two RBIs.