Detroit Tigers: Jose Iglesias to Disabled List, Joe Jimenez Called Up

Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias has landed on the disabled list, the team announced in a tweet on Friday. Relief pitcher Joe Jimenez is taking Iglesias’ spot on the active roster.

Detroit Tigers fans will see one of the team’s best pitching prospects return to the team on Friday.

Joe Jimenez is back with the team, filling the roster spot of shortstop Jose Iglesias, who landed on the disabled list.

Jimenez previously made his Major League debut earlier in the season in an 11-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins.

The future closer struck out a batter in a perfect ninth inning.

In five minor league games this season, Jimenez struck out 10 of the 19 batters he faced over five innings.

The 22-year-old only allowed three hits and two walks.

Detroit announced the moved on Twitter on Friday, tweeting:

"“The #Tigers have placed SS Jose Iglesias on the 7-day concussion DL (retro to 4/20) and recalled RHP Joe Jimenez from Toledo (AAA).”"

Potential Role with the 2017 Detroit Tigers

Outside of Justin Wilson and Alex Wilson, Detroit’s bullpen hasn’t had the best time this season.

Shane Greene owns a 1.80 ERA, but his xFIP currently sits at 5.15. What’s more, he also walked a batter in his last four outings.

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Elsewhere, William Cuevas (four runs allowed in a third of an inning pitched), Bruce Rondon (six runs, four hits and three walks in 1.1 frames) and Anibal Sanchez (18 hits, 15 runs and six walks surrendered in nine innings) have struggled in limited work.

What’s more, Kyle Ryan, who was generally dependable last season with a 3.33 FIP in 55.2 innings, hasn’t had the best luck.

In 4.1 frames, the southpaw has allowed eight hits, five walks and four runs. If you do the math, that spits out to a 8.31 ERA, 16.6 hits and 10.4 walks allowed per nine frames.

With so few dependable options in the bullpen, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Joe Jimenez pitch late in games.

In fact, if Francisco Rodriguez (1.800 WHIP, 5.61 FIP) continues to allow base runners, Jimenez could conceivably move into the closer’s role.

The prospect certainly has the experience in the minors, with 54 saves in 131 minor league games. He also finished 109 games in his time in Detroit’s minor league system.

Ability to Miss Bats

Not only does Jimenez bring a potential closing option to the Tigers bullpen, he also provides manager Brad Ausmus with a pitcher who can miss bats.

Outside of Justin Wilson, Greene and (when effective) Rondon, Detroit doesn’t have many pitchers with strikeout stuff.

That’s exactly what Jimenez brings to the table, with 13.2 punch outs per nine innings in the minor leagues.

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In fact, the hurler has punched out 214 of the 562 batters he’s faced in the minors.