Tigers release 2024 pitching chaos reliever fans definitely forgot about

Back when pitching chaos was still novel and exciting (those were the days, huh?), the Tigers roster was filled with unlikely heroes. Players who no one recognized outside of Detroit (not that they were all that recognizable in Detroit, to be honest) were pitching meaningful innings as the Gritty Tigs forced their way into a playoff spot in August and September of 2024.

One of them was Bryan Sammons, a minor league signing for the Tigers in June 2023. He was called up for his major league debut in late July 2024 and stayed on the roster until late August. All told, he appeared in six games almost exclusively in bulk relief, averaging about 4 2/3 innings per outing, and posted a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings in August.

He was outrighted to Toledo at the end of the season but elected free agency and signed a one-year deal with Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines before attempting an MLB comeback.

Scott Harris loves his reclamation projects, especially ones that can actually claim any amount of success, so he re-signed Sammons to a minor league deal this January.

Unfortunately, he won't be getting his grand return to the majors with Detroit. The Mud Hens released him on Wednesday.

Tigers release former pitching chaos reliever Bryan Sammons after failed comeback attempt

Sammons pitched 41 innings for a 4.83 ERA in Triple-A, mostly as a starter but occasionally in long relief. His last start was on May 21, when he failed to record an out and was pulled after walking his first batter. His transactions page doesn't note an injury or IL stint, but the Mud Hens' Gameday feed does confirm that he left with an injury.

It's unclear if whatever took him out of the game was so severe it was career-ending, but releasing him without even attempting an IL stint does lead us to assume the worst.

If it really was that serious, we wish all the best and a speedy recovery for Sammons. He's clearly been capable of contributing to a major league team, and it's even a little surprising that the Tigers neglected to call him up this year before he got hurt, as the bullpen carousel is still alive and well. We'll hold out hope that it might've been a question of roster limits, and that he'll be able to find a new home in another organiation.

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