Tigers News: Former top draft pick DFA'd, Rule 5 Draft loss could return to Detroit

Former Detroit Tigers draft pick Kody Clemens was designated for assignment by the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, three years after they traded for him.

The Tigers selected Clemens in the third round (No. 79 overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft. He made his Major League debut with Detroit in 2022 but wasn't able to put it all together and stick at the big league level – a fact that hasn't changed, even three years later.

After slashing .145/.197/.308 in 57 games with the Tigers in 2022, Clemens was part of the offseason trade that sent Matt Vierling, Nick Maton and Donny Sands from Philadelphia to Detroit. Clemens bounced between Philadelphia and Triple-A Lehigh Valley for the past two seasons as a serviceable utility man, carrying a .220/.265/.394 slash line through 275 big league plate appearances with the Phillies.

Clemens was hitless through seven plate appearances in Philadelphia this year, and he's out of minor league options; therefore unable to be assigned directly to Triple-A. The Phillies can trade Clemens or place him on outright waivers at any point during the next five days. Any team that claims or trades for Clemens would have to add him directly to their big league roster.

Tigers News: Rule 5 Draft loss Gage Workman likely to return to Detroit

After being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, former Tigers prospect Gage Workman could soon be headed back to Detroit.

The Cubs designated Workman for assignment on Wednesday after signing veteran infielder Nicky Lopez. Since Workman did not remain on Chicago's active roster for the entire season after being picked in the Rule 5 Draft, the Cubs must now offer him back to the Tigers if he goes unclaimed on waivers.

Assuming Workman clears waivers, the Tigers would almost certainly pay the $50,000 it would cost to get him back from the Cubs since they would not be required to put him on their active roster. Workman, drafted by the Tigers in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft, spent nearly three full seasons at Double-A Erie but was never promoted to Triple-A. If he does clear waivers and return to the Tigers, he would likely report to Triple-A Toledo.

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