Tigers Designate Fien

In order to clear a roster spot for the newly signed Johnny Damon, the Tigers announced via twitter that reliever Casey Fien was designated for assignment.

Fien will work out at the Tigers minor league complex in Lakeland for the next several days. If he clears waivers, the Tigers can re-assign him to the minor leagues, but could be back in big league camp as a non-roster invitee.

This move comes as a bit of a surprise to me, but perhaps it shouldn’t. My thought had been that Don Kelly would be the odd man out, as his age (30) and lack of major league success might make it easier for him to pass through waivers. Fien was bitten by the numbers game a bit here. Over the past several years, the Tigers have stockpiled young bullpen arms, so even if they lose Fien, there are several others lining up behind him.

If this is in fact it for Fien’s Tigers career, he’ll finish up with an 0-1 record and 7.94 ERA in 11.1 innings.