Cole Waites: Everything you need to know

Waites signed a minor-league deal with the Tigers, which includes an invitation to spring training, on Thursday, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Waites has spent his entire pro career in the Giants' organization, and he briefly reached the majors in both 2022 and 2023. He's likely to remain organizational depth with Detroit, but he will have the chance to earn a roster spot during spring training.

Waites (undisclosed) was activated from the 7-day injured list Thursday. Waites made his first appearance since July 17 after missing time on the injured list, tossing a scoreless frame while allowing one hit and one walk Friday against Triple-A Oklahoma City. He'll aim to build some momentum down the stretch after missing all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery and now most of 2025 with an undisclosed issue.

The Giants reassigned Waites to minor-league camp Wednesday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports. Waites is healthy again after missing the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he'll need to prove himself at the Triple-A level before potentially getting another look in San Francisco's bullpen. The 26-year-old righty previously made 10 appearances out of the big-league bullpen between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, logging a 6.75 ERA and 2.25 WHIP over eight innings.