Detroit Tigers Select Joe Mantiply’s Contract, Designate Donn Roach For Assignment

Detroit Tigers reliever Joe Mantiply could soon make his Major League debut after having his contract selected by the team. Donn Roach was designated for assignment to make room.

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus will have another relief pitching to turn to out of the bullpen as the Tigers announced that Joe Mantiply had his contract purchased.

The Tigers announced the move on Twitter via the franchise’s official Twitter account in a pair of tweets on Saturday afternoon. Detroit announced the move to call up Mantiply, tweeting, “The #Tigers today have purchased the contract of LHP Joe Mantiply from Double A Erie. Mantiply will wear No. 46.”

Additionally, the team tweeted out its announcement of the corresponding move as Mantiply wasn’t on the 40-man roster. The Tigers’ official Twitter account tweeted, “To create space on the 40-man roster for Mantiply, the #Tigers have designated the contract of RHP Donn Roach for assignment.”

The transaction gives Detroit more flexibility and depth in the bullpen as the regular season winds down. Mantiply will join a bullpen that already features the likes of Francisco Rodriguez, Justin Wilson, Shane Greene, Alex Wilson and Bruce Rondon.

This isn’t the first move by Detroit to bolster the team’s bullpen over the past few days as Buck Farmer was recently recalled from Triple-A Toledo.

Mantiply

In 56 appearances this season, the left-handed Mantiply has pitched to a 2.73 ERA in the minor leagues. Those 56 appearances have come at both the Double-A and Triple-A levels. What’s more, the reliever has 69 strikeouts compared to just 12 walks over the same span.

Mantiply has also posted solid ERA numbers since making his professional debut. His career ERA sits at 2.44, while this season he’s posted a 2.73 number.

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The bullpen has quietly been a strength for Detroit this season. The Tigers will be hoping their latest call up can provide quality innings when called upon.

Mantiply will probably pitch in a similar role to the likes of Farmer and Blaine Hardy at first. The rookie won’t come in during impact situations.

However, he could provide to be a dependable arm in the fifth or sixth inning. If anything, the lefty’s strikeout numbers in the minors suggest he could find some success at the highest level.

Roach

Donn Roach was claimed on waivers from Seattle three weeks ago. The former Mariner pitched for Toledo in his time with the Detroit organization. A former third-round pick of the Angels, the 26-year-old owns a 5.77 career ERA in the Major Leagues.

However, he’s found much more success at the minor league level. In five starts for Toledo, Roach has pitched to a 3.03 ERA in 29.2 innings pitched.

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Roach could be a useful depth option if he makes his way through waivers.