The Tigers made a series of roster moves following Wednesday's 5-2 series finale loss against the Cubs, including designating infielder Dixon Machado for assignment.
Machado was DFA'd to make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Victor Alcantara, who will be called up from Triple-A Toledo prior to Thursday's series opener against the Rangers at Comerica Park.
Detroit also optioned right-hander Warwick Saupold to Triple-A on Wednesday, and in addition to Alcantara, the team will recall infielder Ronny Rodriguez from Toledo on Thursday.
Machado has struggled at the plate this season, with a .206 batting average, one home run and 21 RBIs in 67 games. Last year, the Tigers kept Machado on their active roster all season despite him playing in only 73 games, because they didn't want to lose the 26-year-old on waivers if they DFA'd him.
When a player's contract is designated for assignment -- often abbreviated "DFA" -- that player is immediately removed from his club's 40-man roster, and 25-man roster if he was on that as well. Within seven days of the transaction (it was previously 10 days), the player must either be traded, released or placed on irrevocable outright waivers.
The 25-year-old Alcantara got his first MLB action for the Tigers last year, making six relief appearances with an 8.59 ERA and five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. Rodriguez has played in 11 games for the big league club this year and is just 2-for-24 at the plate.