The Tigers have designated right-hander Miguel Diaz for assignment, tweets Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Diaz, who’s out of minor league options, was informed earlier in the week that he hadn’t made the Opening Day roster, so this move was expected. Detroit also placed righty Sawyer Gipson-Long on the 15-day IL due to a groin strain.
Diaz, 29, has pitched in parts of six big league seasons — four with the Padres and two with the Tigers. He tossed 14 innings out of the Detroit ’pen in 2023, allowing just one run on eight hits and five walks with 16 strikeouts. It was a brief but dominant showing that surely enhanced his standing within the organization and gave him a chance to break camp with the 2024 club. However, Diaz struggled this spring, surrendering five runs on ten hits and five walks in 8 1/3 innings.
In prior seasons, perhaps the Tigers would’ve kept him and optioned someone else, but expectations in Detroit are shifting as the club enters more of a win-now mentality, emboldened by the strength of its emerging young core. Detroit also has a crowded bullpen featuring a blend of seasoned veterans (Shelby Miller, Andrew Chafin), emerging steady contributors (Alex Lange, Jason Foley, Tyler Holton) and former top prospects who clearly pitched their way into roster spots with standout spring showings (Joey Wentz, Alex Faedo). The bullpen mix was crowded enough that the Tigers optioned righty Beau Brieske, despite the 25-year-old tossing 13 2/3 shutout frames in Grapefruit League play.
Diaz’s lack of minor league options simply left him out of chances to make the club. The Tigers will have a week to trade the right-hander or attempt to pass him through outright waivers.