Detroit Tigers Could Be Interested in Reliever Joel Hanrahan

April 13, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan (52) pitches during the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, rehabbing reliever Joel Hanrahan will soon be ready to showcase his arm for teams down in Florida.

"Hanrahan has shifted his training base to Tampa, moving toward his first showcase for teams, which should happen shortly… The Red Sox have some interest in bringing back Hanrahan, but there are enough teams (Tigers, Orioles, Yankees) in need of back-end relievers that he likely wouldn’t go that route."

The Detroit Tigers, who recently lost setup man Bruce Rondon to season-ending Tommy John surger, aren’t specifically linked as having stated interest in the former Pirates and Red Sox closer, but it would make sense for them to at least kick the tires as they try to figure out bullpen options.

The current company line in Detroit is that they’re “comfortable with internal options”, but I’d be shocked if there weren’t at least taking a look around the league to see who might be available.

Hanrahan was limited to only 7.1 innings in 2013 after having surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon, but he had been an effective reliever in the three or four years previous — particularly in 2010 and 2011 when he put up back-to-back seasons with an xFIP below 3.00.

Hanrahan is a fastball/slider pitcher with a heater sitting regularly at 96 mph. At least it did before the injury. It remains to be seen if the 32-year old has regained his previous stuff.