Detroit Tigers: Players Who Could Be Called Up When Rosters Expand

Relievers

Blaine Hardy

After being a major contributor to the Detroit bullpen over the last two seasons, Blaine Hardy has split time between the Tigers and Triple-A this season.

Despite a 4.96 ERA in 16.1 innings for Detroit this season, Hardy has been excellent with Toledo. During his time with the Mud Hens, the Washington native owns a stellar 1.53 ERA in 29.1 innings pitched. He’s also walked just four batters—two of which were intentional—during the same span.

What’s more Hardy’s ERA is largely inflated due to one poor outing against Kansas City where he gave up five runs in just one inning. Since then, he went on to throw three scoreless innings against the Mariners, striking out five and rack up 10 swinging strikes.

Joe Jimenez

Speaking of successful relievers, Joe Jimenez is an obvious choice to help the Tigers—and get acclimated to the Majors in the process.

Jimenez is the long-term successor for Francisco Rodriguez as Detroit’s closer, and has pitched like it in the minor this season. In stints at Lakeland, Erie and Toledo, the reliever has posted a sparkling 1.86 ERA and 27 saves in 48.1 innings.

What’s more, he’s racked up some fantastic strikeout numbers with 72 punch outs so far in 2016. That amounts to 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Buck Farmer

The 25-year-old has been up with the Tigers a number of times this season and has generally pitched well. In 16 innings, the pitcher owns a 3.94 ERA. The fact that he’s started with Toledo makes him even more of a viable option because he can pitch multiple innings if needed.