Detroit Tigers Purchase Bobby Parnell’s Contract, Place Warwick Saupold on DL

Detroit Tigers pitcher Warwick Saupold was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Bobby Parnell was called up to take his place.

Detroit Tigers relievers haven’t had the best time so far this season. Francisco Rodriguez, Justin Wilson and Kyle Ryan have been dependable, but other than that it has been a mixed bag.

Offseason addition Mark Lowe has struggled, posting a 7.79 ERA that is likely due to the fact that he’s been tagged for five home runs already in just 17.1 innings pitched. Incumbent reliever Alex Wilson also has a relatively high ERA at 5.49.

Overall, Detroit’s pitching staff has the 13^th-worst ERA in the American League.

However, reinforcements are on the way.

With reliever Warwick Saupold going down with what the Tigers’ official Twitter account announced as a “right groin strain”, Bobby Parnell will join the Detroit bullpen.

In order to add Parnell, who wasn’t on the 40-man roster, to the team, a move was required. Per the team’s Twitter account, Detroit designated reliever Jose Valdez for assignment.

Valdez made his Major League debut last season, pitching to a 4.00 ERA (6.47 FIP) in just nine innings pitched. He started the year in Triple-A, before being sent to Double-A Erie. With Erie, the right-hander’s ERA is an unsightly 5.59. He also walked seven batters in just 9.2 innings pitched.

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Where Bobby Parnell Fits in the Bullpen

Right off the bat, Parnell gives the Tigers an experienced arm to turn to late in games. From 2010 to 2013, the 31-year-old was one of baseball’s premier relievers. The former Met posted a 2.79 ERA and a nearly identical 2.78 FIP in 213 innings pitched over the four year span. What’s more, Parnell also operated as both a closer (22 saves in 2013) and as a setup man.

The right-hander signed with the Tigers prior to Spring Training and came into camp competing for a job. Parnell was solid in his first seven outings, only allowing two runs while pitching 7.1 innings. However, the reliever ran into a few rough outings and failed to earn a spot on Detroit’s Opening Day roster.

So far for Lloyd McClendon’s Toledo Mud Hens, Parnell has been solid, posting a 3.98 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. He’s also struck out 16 batters.

One positive of calling up the longtime New York reliever is that he can potentially take the pressure off Mark Lowe. Lowe’s ERA has ballooned this season, and with Parnell joining the bullpen, Lowe can be used in situations when the game isn’t on the line in order to help him find success again.

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Parnell could potentially make his debut for the Detroit Tigers when the team wraps up a road series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.