MIAMI — Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Jose Cisnero knows the trade deadline is coming soon.
It arrives Tuesday, to be exact, but Cisnero isn’t worried about the unknown, even though his expiring contract and relief role makes him a clear-cut trade candidate as the Tigers aim to build for the future.
Right now, he pitches for the Tigers.
“I don’t think about it,” Cisnero said. “I’m trying to be healthy and do my job. I’m working hard and doing the stuff that I have to do. I’m not thinking about trades. I’m here, so I’m not thinking that I’ll go somewhere else.”
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The 34-year-old, a seven-year MLB veteran, has a 3.96 ERA with 14 walks (8.4% walk rate) and 43 strikeouts (25.8% strikeout rate) across 38⅔ innings in 42 appearances in the 2023 season.
“This is my family right here,” he said.
In recent years, Cisnero has watched several of his friends in the bullpen — including Joe Jiménez (to the Atlanta Braves in December 2022) and Gregory Soto (to the Philadelphia Phillies in January 2023) — get traded.
Those teammates were traded by Scott Harris, currently in the first year of his tenure as the Tigers’ president of baseball operations.
Cisnero wants to stay with the Tigers for the remainder of the season.
He joined the Tigers in November 2018 as a minor-league free agent after not pitching in the big leagues for four seasons. He showed up to spring training in 2019 as a non-roster invitee. After reviving his career, Cisnero has pitched in 201 games for the Tigers over five seasons.
The reality is, Cisnero will become a free agent this November and could sign anywhere once he reaches the open market. He would fit any contender seeking a righty reliever as a three-month rental.
That’s why he is expected to be traded before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline.
“I can’t control that,” Cisnero said. “I think I’m going to be here for the whole season, so I’ll keep my mind on that.”
Miggy in Miami
Designated hitter Miguel Cabrera — a future Hall of Famer partaking in his final series in Miami — will be in the starting lineup for all three games against the Marlins at loanDepot Park.
Cabrera signed with the Florida Marlins in July 1999 (at 16 years old) and reached the big leagues in June 2003 (at 20 years old). He played five seasons in Miami before the Tigers acquired him in a trade.
“He’s playing,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I’m no dummy when it comes to playing him in Miami. He’ll play all three games. That’s the plan unless something unforeseen happens.”
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Entering Friday, Cabrera is hitting .249 with one home run and a .647 OPS this season. Since May 30, the 40-year-old owns a .323 batting average with a .824 OPS in 31 games.
“I had wanted to hit more,” Cabrera said, laughing. “My offense has not been what I expected. It has been very difficult not playing every day. Now I understand (bench) players. I always wondered, ‘Why aren’t you doing better?’ It’s actually really difficult to play one day, rest two, play two. It’s very difficult to get in a rhythm that way. But that’s not an excuse.”
The Marlins honored Cabrera before Friday’s series opener with a pregame ceremony. He received a custom-designated, hand-etched humidor and cigar box as well as Bicentenario Ultra añejo rum.
Medical update
∙ Right-hander Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort) is scheduled to make the second start of his rehab assignment Sunday with High-A West Michigan. The 30-year-old threw two scoreless innings and 23 pitches in his first rehab start.
∙ Right-handed reliever Will Vest (right lower leg strain) completed a live batting practice session Friday in Lakeland.
∙ Right-handed reliever Mason Englert (left hip tightness) will throw a bullpen session over the weekend at loanDepot Park in Miami.
∙ Right-hander Casey Mize (right elbow sprain, lumbar strain) is scheduled to throw his next bullpen session Saturday in Detroit.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.