Tigers re-sign injured reliever with hopes of bounce-back season in 2025

Tigers reliever Brendan White technically spent time in the majors in 2024, but it was purely for housekeeping purposes. He was recalled from Triple-A on Aug. 13 but was immediately thrown onto the 60-day IL with an elbow sprain in order to clear a 40-man space for Kerry Carpenter, who was coming back from a three-month absence with lumbar spine inflammation. White didn't end up pitching at all in the majors this past season.

White is a former top prospect who came in at No. 29 in the Tigers' pipeline in 2023. He got his MLB debut in June of that year and pitched 40 2/3 innings mostly in relief, for a 5.09 ERA. He began 2024 in Triple-A, but his first three outings went so poorly that he was moved to the Development List by mid-April. He spent a little while in Single-A and then Double-A before landing on the IL in May. He managed to make one rehab appearance in June but was promptly sent back to the IL.

On Nov. 19, the Tigers DFA'd White in order to make room on the 40-man for three minor leaguers who were being protected from the Rule 5 Draft, and he was non-tendered a few days later. However, he'll be returning to the organization on a new minor-league deal that includes an invite to spring training.

Tigers re-sign Brendan White to a minor league deal after he was non-tendered

White broke into the Tigers' top 30 prospects list after a nice showing in Double-A in 2022, when he pitched 67 1/3 innings in relief for a 2.67 ERA. He was promoted to Triple-A in 2023 and eventually got his MLB debut in June, but things were already slipping in Toledo, and he registered a 4.14 ERA over 37 innings before he got his call to the majors.

He only managed to pitch 7 1/3 innings in 2024 — one in Rookie ball, four in Single-A, 2/3 in Double-A, and 1 2/3 in Triple-A — while he dealt with an elbow issue, but his last 1/3 inning in Toledo was disastrous; he gave up a single, hit a batter, and then three consecutive walks that all scored runs.

However, there's still a lot of upside that could have incentivized the Tigers to bring him back; he has a five-pitch mix and grades above average for his whiff and chase rates. If he can stay healthy, then he might get another shot at rejoining the Tigers' bullpen in 2025.