Detroit Tigers bring back Drew VerHagen, option Jim Adduci

Detroit Tigers fans will see a familiar face return to the team as Drew VerHagen has been recalled from the minors. The pitcher takes the place of outfielder Jim Adduci, who was sent to Toledo to make room.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Drew VerHagen is returning to the team.

VerHagen, who last pitched in the Majors with the Tigers in 2016, previously missed time due to injury. He underwent thoracic outlet surgery last season, but is back in the fold with Detroit in 2017.

A reliever in past seasons with the Tigers, VerHagen has operated predominantly as a starter with Triple-A Toledo.

The Tigers announced the moves in a pair of tweets on the team’s official Twitter account on Sunday night.

Detroit tweeted the following:

“Following today’s game, the #Tigers optioned OF Jim Adduci to Triple-A Toledo.”

“Prior to tomorrow’s game, the #Tigers will recall RHP Drew VerHagen from Triple-A Toledo.”

In 97.1 innings for the Triple-A club, the right-hander owns a 4.90 ERA, a 4.35 FIP and a 4.73 xFIP. He’s struck out 6.38 batters and walked 3.98 hitters per nine innings.

VerHagen owns a 4.25 ERA in his last 55 innings. Overall, he’s been hit and miss.

In seven of his 19 starts, the 26-year-old has held the opposition to one run or fewer. However, he’s also allowed at least seven hits on nine different occasions.

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VerHagen was tagged for 10 hits and 10 earned runs in four innings against Louisville earlier this season, while Columbus got to him for five hits, five runs, four walks and two hits in 1.2 innings in his second to last start.

He’ll give the Detroit Tigers some versatility in terms of how he’s used. He can obviously step in and start, but VerHagen could also help soak up innings in place of Chad Bell or Warwick Saupold.

Bell has allowed 11 runs in his list four outings, while Saupold is sporting a 5.51 xFIP.

Jim Adduci

Heading down to Toledo to make room for VerHagen is outfielder Jim Adduci.

Adduci was productive in limited playing time earlier in the season, making for a promising overall stat line.

The outfielder is hitting .298 with a .377 on-base percentage, a .468 slugging percentage and a .362 wOBA. What’s more, Adduci is also sporting a 127 wRC+ and a .120 ISO in 53 plate appearances spread over 17 games.

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After coming off the disabled list, the veteran was sent to Toledo. He returned to the Tigers after the J.D. Martinez trade, but went 0-for-3 with a walk in three games.

Despite the strong numbers, he seems to have fallen behind Alex Presley on the depth chart for the time being thanks to the hot streak Presley is on.

The outfielder has 11 hits in his last 25 plate appearances, and is batting .344 with a .392 on-base percentage and an .836 OPS.

He’s also chipped in with 14 runs scored, 11 RBI, seven walks, six doubles, three stolen baes and a home run.

With Andrew Romine serving as the only other option in the outfield, Presley seems likely to see the lion’s share of the playing time at the position.

Moving forward, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Adduci back with the Major League team considering he’s arguably Detroit’s best pinch-hitting option.

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The Detroit Tigers return to action Monday night against the Kansas City Royals.