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Detroit Tigers News: Former pitcher joins rival, reliever DFA, Reese Olson delay

ByEmma Lingan|
May 4, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (45) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
May 4, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (45) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Former Detroit Tigers pitcher José Ureña has found a new home this season ... again. This time, he's back in the AL Central.

The 33-year-old right-handed pitcher joined his fourth team of the season on Wednesday when he signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. He has since been assigned to Triple-A St. Paul.

Prior to signing with Minnesota, Ureña had already pitched for – and been released by – the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. He has allowed 11 runs across 18 1/3 combined Major League innings this season, recording 10 strikeouts against five walks.

Ureña spent the first six of his 12 Major League seasons with the Miami Marlins before signing a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Tigers prior to the 2021 season. He pitched 100 innings for Detroit that year, primarily as a starter, but ultimately lost his spot in the rotation as he finished with a 5.81 ERA.

Ureña has been a bit of a journeyman since his time in Detroit, pitching for seven different teams from 2022-25. Should he make it into a Major League game with Minnesota, the Twins will be his eighth.

Tigers designate Matt Gage for assignment

According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, the Tigers have designated reliever Matt Gage for assignment to make room for Dietrich Enns on the 40-man and active rosters.

Gage, 32, signed a minor league deal with the Tigers during the offseason and was selected to the big league roster earlier this month. He tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings during his brief stint in Detroit, which was his third in the Majors. Gage has a career 1.42 ERA in 25 1/3 innings at the Major League level.

Gage is out of minor league options, so the Tigers couldn't send him back to Triple-A Toledo without first exposing him to waivers. Now that he has been designated for assignment, he can be traded or placed on waivers at any point in the next five days.

Enns, whose contract was selected by the Tigers from Triple-A Toledo earlier this week, will start Thursday's game against the Athletics. The 34-year-old lefty has made made 14 Triple-A starts this season, logging 62 1/3 innings with a 2.89 ERA.

Reese Olson makes third rehab start, but has yet to rejoin Tigers rotation

Tigers right-hander Reese Olson completed the third start of his rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Toledo, throwing 74 pitches over four innings. Olson, who is recovering from a right ring finger injury, seems ready for his MLB return, but manager AJ Hinch said that the Tigers wouldn't be making a decision until they evaluate his next bullpen session in the next day or two.

Olson hasn't pitched for the Tigers since May 17. If cleared to return, he could slot back into the Tigers' rotation as early as Tuesday against the Washington Nationals.

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