Tigers release former division rival pitcher after horrible stint at Triple-A Toledo

The Detroit Tigers’ low-risk flier on left-hander Konnor Pilkington didn't last long enough to become anything more than organizational depth.

After signing Pilkington to a minor league contract shortly after he elected free agency from the Washington Nationals, the Tigers have released the former American League Central rival following a rough stint at Triple-A Toledo. Pilkington appeared in 23 games for the Mud Hens, including three starts, but never found enough consistency to force his way into Detroit’s pitching plans.

Across 33 1/3 innings with Toledo, Pilkington went 1-5 with a 5.40 ERA. The strikeout numbers were modest, as he posted an 8.10 K/9, but the bigger issue was the same one that has followed him throughout his professional career: command. Pilkington walked 7.56 batters per nine innings with Toledo, an unsustainable rate for any pitcher, especially one trying to carve out a depth role in a crowded organization.

That has long been the frustrating part of Pilkington’s profile. The raw ingredients have never been completely uninteresting. He is a former third-round pick of the Chicago White Sox, previously pitched in the majors with the Cleveland Guardians and Nationals, and showed some signs of intrigue after moving into a relief role full time. His fastball ticked up, his swing-and-miss improved, and Washington gave him a look in 2025, when he struck out 27.6% of hitters over 28 1/2 major league innings.

Unfortunately, the walks never went away. Pilkington’s 13.8% walk rate with the Nationals was a major red flag, and his time with Toledo only reinforced that concern. Even with a minor league option remaining and some left-handed depth value, he didn't do enough to justify a longer stay in the Tigers’ system.

Tigers release Konnor Pilkington from minor league contract as command issues persist

For Detroit, this move is less about a major loss and more about trimming a depth piece that simply was not working. The Tigers have needed arms capable of providing reliable innings at Triple-A, especially with injuries and turnover always testing pitching depth over a long season. Pilkington did not give them that.

There was logic behind the original signing. The Tigers took a shot on a lefty with big-league experience, improved velocity and a relief conversion that still offered some theoretical upside. The experiment just failed quickly.

Now Pilkington heads back to the open market looking for another opportunity, while the Tigers move on from a pitcher whose command issues once again outweighed the intrigue.

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