The Detroit Tigers are in dire straights right now, having lost eight of their last nine games while losing serious ground not only in the American League Central Division standings, but in their chase for a Wild Card playoff berth.
They return home after consecutive sweeps at the hands of the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals to face the Tampa Bay Rays, and ahead of Monday’s series opener, they’ve announced multiple personnel moves.
The Tigers have signed nine-year MLB veteran reliever Tyler Kinley, who was recently DFA’d by the Atlanta Braves. In corresponding moves, they’ve optioned RHP Ty Madden to the Triple-A affiliate Toledo Mud Hens, while also designating RHP Ricky Vanasco for assignment.
The news was confirmed by Tigers beat writer Jason Beck, who reported the following:
“Tigers have signed veteran RH reliever Tyler Kinley, recently DFAed by Atlanta,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He’ll be active tonight. RHP Ty Madden optioned to Triple-A Toledo. RHP Ricky Vanasco designated for assignment.”
The first pitch of Monday’s game against the Rays at Comerica Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET.
The Detroit Tigers Have Signed Veteran RH Reliever Tyler Kinley
GettyPhoto by Caleb Bowlin/Getty Images
The Tigers have signed right-handed reliever Tyler Kinley, a nine-year MLB veteran who was recently DFA’d by the Atlanta Braves. He was originally selected in the 16th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins.
After being selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 2017 Rule 5 Draft, he returned to Miami and later joined the Colorado Rockies, where he became a regular in their bullpen.
His 2022 season was cut short because of an elbow injury after he posted a 0.75 ERA in 24 innings. Kinley struggled after returning, but would rebound after being dealt to the Braves in July of last season, where he would post an impressive 0.72 ERA over 25 innings of work.
The Braves brought him back for 2026 with a one-year, $3 million deal, but after recording a 4.01 ERA in 49 appearances, they designated him for assignment and subsequently released him.
So far this season, he’s gone 6-5 while picking up a single save and has 42 strikeouts and 20 walks with a 1.29 WHIP.
The Tigers Optioned Ty Madden To Triple-A And Have DFA’d Ricky Vanasco
To clear the necessary roster space, Detroit optioned Madden to Triple-A Toledo and designated Vanasco for assignment, creating an opening on the 40-man roster for the Tigers.
So far this season, Madden has a 3.46 ERA with 40 strikeouts and a 1.08 WHIP. Meanwhile, Vanasco has a 15.63 ERA in five appearances with four strikeouts and a 3.16 WHIP.
Tigers Sign 9-Year MLB Veteran, DFA Another Reliever