Left-handed reliever Chasen Shreve has been designated for assignment.
The Detroit Tigers activated right-handed reliever Will Vest — under team control through the 2027 season — from the 15-day injured list before Friday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Shreve was designated for assignment to create room for Vest on the 26-man roster, leaving the 40-man roster at 39 players. The 33-year-old posted a 4.79 ERA with 12 walks and 42 strikeouts over 41⅓ innings in 47 relief appearances.
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The 6-foot-4 southpaw cleared waivers — meaning none of the 29 other teams wanted him — and will likely become a free agent. That Shreve cleared waivers reveals his market and explains why the Tigers, despite seeking trade partners, couldn’t move him at the trade deadline.
He struggled against right-handed hitters this season, allowing a .281 batting average with 11 walks and 18 strikeouts in 111 plate appearances. His season splits against left-handed hitters were better: .273 batting average with one walk and 24 strikeouts in 69 plate appearances.
The Tigers signed Shreve, a 10-year MLB veteran, to a minor-league contract in January 2023 because of his track record as an effective one-inning reliever against both righties and lefties, as well as his revered splitter.
He made the Opening Day roster out of spring training and locked in a $1.25 million guaranteed salary for this season. Shreve is owed roughly $360,000 with 47 games remaining in the regular season.
Shreve triggered $75,000 bonuses for reaching 20, 30, 35 and 40 innings pitched, but he missed out on $100,000 bonuses for 45 and 50 innings pitched and $125,000 bonuses for 55 and 60 innings pitched.
The Tigers recently claimed left-handed reliever Andrew Vasquez, who throws sliders more than 80% of the time, off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. If the 29-year-old pitches well, he could earn himself a spot in the Tigers’ bullpen for the 2024 season.
As for Vest, the 28-year-old returns from a stint on the injured list with a right lower leg strain. He posted a 2.73 ERA with nine walks and 32 strikeouts over 29⅔ in 27 games before suffering the injury while pitching June 26 against the Texas Rangers.
The Tigers expect to reinstate right-handed reliever Jason Foley, who owns a 2.16 ERA in 50 innings, from the bereavement list at some point over the weekend. The 27-year-old landed on the bereavement list Wednesday, so he can’t return until Saturday.
Medical update
∎ Right-handed reliever Mason Englert (left hip tightness) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Toledo. He has a 5.46 ERA with 17 walks and 41 strikeouts across 56 innings in 31 outings this season. The 23-year-old, a Rule 5 draft pick, hasn’t pitched for the Tigers since July 22.
∎ Right-hander Spencer Turnbull (neck discomfort) is scheduled to throw a side bullpen Saturday in preparation for Tuesday’s start with Triple-A Toledo, the fifth start of his rehab assignment. The 30-year-old has a 4.97 ERA with four walks and 13 strikeouts over 12⅔ innings in his rehab assignment. He advanced to 74 pitches in his latest start with the Mud Hens.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.