Injuries & Moves: White re-signed to Minor League deal
The Tigers' injuries and roster moves page will be updated throughout the offseason. Detroit's 40-man Major League roster is currently full.
LATEST NEWS
Dec. 19: RHP Brendan White re-signed to Minor League contract
White will be in Spring Training as a non-roster invite, but the camp will be more about getting him back into game action after missing most of last season with injuries. The high-spin reliever pitched in just eight games in 2024, all in the Minor Leagues, and walked 11 batters over 7 1/3 innings. After landing on the injured list with a right elbow strain, he underwent a hydrodissection procedure to address issues with his ulnar nerve. He was throwing bullpen sessions last October and was cleared for a normal offseason program, so he should be cleared for full workouts.
When White is healthy and effective, his near-equal combination of sliders and sweepers along with a 94-95 mile per hour fastball presents a challenging look for hitters. Getting the 26-year-old back to that form will be the Tigers’ task this spring. He struck out 44 batters over 40 2/3 innings in 33 games for Detroit in 2023, including two games as an opener.
With White’s return, all four players the Tigers dropped from their 40-man roster last month have returned on non-roster deals, including Wilmer Flores, Eddys Leonard and Ricky Vanasco.
Dec. 17: OF Akil Baddoo outrighted to Triple-A Toledo
The Tigers designated Baddoo for assignment on Dec. 10 to open a 40-man roster spot for right-hander Alex Cobb. The speedy, athletic outfielder cleared waivers, allowing the Tigers to outright him to Triple-A. Baddoo spent most of last season in Toledo, batting .238/.340/.418 in 82 games for the Mud Hens with 21 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 35 RBIs and 29 stolen bases. He hit 10-for-73 in 31 games across several stints with the Tigers. The 26-year-old can still go to Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.
Dec. 17: RHP Ryan Miller signed to Minor League contract
Miller, who made his Major League debut at Comerica Park for the Angels last August, will get a chance to compete for a spot in Detroit’s bullpen in Spring Training as a non-roster invite. The 28-year-old reliever allowed seven runs, six earned, on 13 hits over 13 innings with eight walks and 11 strikeouts in 13 games for the Angels. His 93-94 mph sinker was his most effective pitch, complemented by a mid-80s slider and 80 mph sweeper. The sweeper was more effective for him at Triple-A Salt Lake, where he went 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA and .995 WHIP with 61 strikeouts over 62 1/3 innings.
Dec. 10: RHP Alex Cobb signed to a one-year, $15 million contract; OF Akil Baddoo designated for assignment
The 37-year-old Cobb will try to follow the bounce-back seasons the Tigers enjoyed from Jack Flaherty and Michael Lorenzen on similar deals the past couple seasons. Cobb is older than both and has more of an injury history, but was an All-Star in 2023, his last healthy season. He went 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA in three starts this past season for Cleveland.
Baddoo was a rookie sensation in 2021, posting 13 homers, 55 RBIs, a 112 OPS+ and 2.1 bWAR as a Rule 5 Draft pick, but he struggled to approach that success in three seasons since. He went 10-for-73 in 31 games this past season while bouncing between Detroit and Triple-A Toledo.
“I’d like to find a way to keep him,” president of baseball operations Scott Harris said, “but I understand that he may find a roster spot in another organization. I think it’s not really a criticism of Akil; it’s more of an acknowledgement that our 40-man [roster] is more talented than it has been in recent years.”
Dec. 9: 3B/2B Jace Jung undergoes surgery on right wrist
The first Tigers medical report of the offseason showed that Jung, the No. 5 prospect in the system, underwent what the team called a procedure to address lingering right wrist inflammation. However, Jung has already started a hitting progression in his offseason program and is expected to be fully recovered in time for Spring Training.
Jung spent about a month on the injured list at Triple-A Toledo with a right wrist issue. He was promoted to Detroit about six weeks later and finished out the season with the Tigers, including a postseason role. He underwent the procedure on Oct. 24.
Jung goes into next season as a candidate to start at third base, though the team is leaving the door open for a potential addition at the hot corner.
“He’s coming in to compete to win a job,” president of baseball operations Scott Harris said. “Exactly the opportunity that’s in front of him is going to depend on what we do the rest of the offseason. These situations change super quick, like one free-agent signing or one trade.”
Said manager A.J. Hinch: “We’ve challenged him to get better in every area. He’s got to be a better defender. He can be a better hitter. He can be more patient. He’s going to hit the ball hard. But we believe in all of that, and I think he deserves the ability to compete, to prove it. He’s going to come back really prepared.”
Dec. 5: RHP Wilmer Flores, SS Eddys Leonard re-signed to Minor League deals
Flores and Leonard were both Top 30 prospects in the Tigers' system earlier this year who might have joined the many other prospects to debut in Detroit in 2024 if not for injuries. Both were designated for assignment and became free agents last month to open spots on Detroit’s 40-man roster. Both will be back in Tigers camp for Spring Training as non-roster invites with a chance to compete for spots again.
Flores, once a No. 3 prospect in the system, struggled to an 8.53 ERA with 24 walks and 23 strikeouts over 16 appearances for Triple-A Toledo in a season abbreviated by a right shoulder strain.
“When he’s right, it’s a big, physical, athletic arm with huge extension and an explosive fastball,” president of baseball operations Scott Harris said. “We’re excited we were able to bring him back. I think this guy can pitch in the big leagues. We have to recapture some of the stuff that he flashed in High-A and Double-A.”
Leonard batted .263/.326/.455 in 67 games for Toledo with 15 doubles, 10 homers and 26 RBIs, but missed time with an oblique injury.
INJURY UPDATES
RHP Alex Lange (lat surgery)
Expected return: Possibly Spring Training
Lange is playing catch to 120 feet, three times a week, according to the Tigers. The Tigers are not yet ready to determine whether he could be ready to pitch in Spring Training. (Last updated: Dec. 9)
INF Javier Báez (right hip surgery)
Expected return: Possibly Opening Day 2025
Báez had season-ending arthroscopic right hip surgery on Sept. 3. He has initiated a running progression and is expected to start light defensive drills shortly. (Last updated: Dec. 9)
RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long (left hip, right forearm)
Expected return: 2025
Gipson-Long began a throwing program the week of Sept. 30, about five months after he underwent Tommy John surgery. He is playing catch to 120 feet, three times a week. He is expected to be throwing in Spring Training, but might not be ready to pitch in Spring Training games. (Last updated: Dec. 9)
3B/2B Jace Jung (right wrist arthroscopy)
Expected return: Spring Training
Jung underwent a procedure on Oct. 24 to address lingering right wrist inflammation. He has initiated a hitting progression and is expected to be fully recovered in time for Spring Training, according to the team. (Last updated: Dec. 9)