The Detroit Tigers have added reinforced depth to a weakened and tired pitching staff.
According to the MLB.com Transaction Log, the Tigers have signed reliever Nick Sandlin to a minor league deal.
He will reportedly play for Triple-A Toledo after he was waived by the Los Angeles Angels last week and elected free agency.
In eight games with the Angels in 2026 (8.2 innings), Sandlin gave up 11 runs on nine hits (two home runs) and five walks.
He is coming off an offseason elbow surgery, which may be contributing to his struggles this year.
Still just 29, Sandlin has a lot left in the tank.
What Does Sandlin Bring to the Detroit Tigers?
Cleveland drafted Sandlin in the second-round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi.
After becoming a reliever, Sandlin would debut in 2021 with Cleveland.
The results were great, as Sandlin pitched to a 2.94 ERA in 34 games.
In 209 games across four seasons with Cleveland, Sandlin had a very solid 3.27 ERA.
Cleveland would trade Sandlin to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a three-team trade involving infielder Andrés Giménez during the 2024 offseason.
In 2025 with Toronto, Sandlin would pitch to a 2.20 ERA in 19 games. Then, he became a free agent and signed with the Angels.
Sandlin throws from a low arm slot and leans heavily on his slider (54% usage in 2026 according to Baseball Savant). While he missed a good amount of bats early in his career, his average fastball speed has dropped from 94 mph as a rookie to 91 mph today.
This year, his slider has been hit hard. In 2025, he had an expected slugging percentage of .307, while in 2026, that has risen over 100 points.
It’s actually been his fastball that is consistently good this year with an expected slugging percentage of .078, and zero hits allowed.
If Sandlin can get his slider back on track, he could once again become a very solid bullpen arm.
How Does Sandlin Fit on the Team?
Detroit’s bullpen is middle of the pack in ERA (3.83) and strikeout rate (22.7%).
With the injuries sustained to the starting rotation and thus the need for bullpen days, Sandlin could make an impact.
Sandlin is not a closer, that much we know. Even so, 17-year veteran Kenley Jansen holds down that spot.
With Detroit’s setup man, Will Vest, is on the 15-day IL with minor forearm inflammation, there might be an opening in the bullpen should Sandlin prove himself in the minors.
Kyle Finnegan, Drew Anderson, Brant Hurter and Tyler Holton are others that have been making an impact in Detroit’s bullpen.
Like most of the American League, Detroit is below-.500 at 19-22 going into May 12. While still two games back in the AL Central, the Tigers are still third in the division.
Despite injuries to the rotation, Detroit has given up just 171 runs, the least in the division.
However, an elbow injury to ace Tarik Skubal has put their season in the hands of veterans Framber Valdez and Jack Flaherty.
While the pitching has been solid, the offense is going to have to step up their efforts.
Tied for 17th in the majors in runs scored, Detroit will have to look to their veterans to supplement what has been an excellent rookie season by infielder Kevin McGonigle.
Detroit is going to have to push through their injury troubles in order to make a run at the postseason, and Sandlin could help with that push.
Tigers Sign 6-Year MLB Veteran Reliever