Detroit Tigers sign several arms during their day off

The Detroit Tigers stayed busy on their off day before starting their three-game series with the New York Mets on Tuesday, signing a pair of right-handers and a lefty.

First, they picked up right-hander Braden Bristo off waivers from the Rays, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times on Twitter. Bristo was just designed for assignment after Tampa acquired Javy Guerra from the Brewers.

The 6-foot Bristo was drafted in the 23rd round by the Yankees in 2016 and after reaching Triple-A last season, he elected to be a minor league free agent and signed with the Rays. He throws per his heatmaps on FanGraphs, a slider, sinker, cutter, and a change. He struck out four in his first major league appearance back on April 13 versus Boston.

While he has averaged double digit K per 9s since he reached Double-A in 2019, he has issues with walks. However, with Chris Fetter and the rest of the coaching staff, this could be a project to work on. The Tigers made a corresponding 40-man roster move, transferring Austin Meadows over to the 60-day IL as he continues to work on his mental health.

The Tigers are shaping up some Clay

Detroit, earlier in the afternoon, signed left-hander Sam Clay to a minor league deal. Clay has seen time in the majors, pitching in 58 games with the Nationals in 2021 and then just six games in 2022 before being released and then spending a game with the Mets before signing with the Diamondbacks in the off-season. More than likely, Clay will head to Toledo.

Clay throws a slider, sinker, and a changeup. His slider is his best pitch, as in 2021, he held batters to just a .186 batting average against the pitch with a Whiff% of 34.1%.

Joining him in Toledo is right-hander veteran Heath Hembree as first reported by Evan Woodbery of Mlive.com earlier today.