DETROIT — The Tigers ended up adding a big-name pitcher before Monday’s Trade Deadline. It was a waiver claim, not a trade, and Dereck Rodríguez won’t help them right away. But the former Giants right-hander is a familiar name around Comerica Park, where his dad helped rejuvenate baseball for a
DETROIT — The Tigers ended up adding a big-name pitcher before Monday’s Trade Deadline. It was a waiver claim, not a trade, and
The Tigers claimed Rodríguez off waivers from the Giants and optioned him to their alternate training site in Toledo. It’s partly a depth move, but it raises the strong possibility of the 28-year-old Rodríguez taking the mound at the same park where his father, Hall of Famer Iván Rodríguez, was on the catching end of great pitching for an American League championship team.
Rodríguez made just two relief appearances for the Giants this season, allowing six runs on 10 hits in four innings with three walks and two strikeouts. He was a midseason revelation as a starter two years ago, posting a 6-4 record with a 2.81 ERA over 19 starts and two relief appearances. He pitched in a swing role for San Francisco last season.
The 28-year-old Rodríguez was just entering his teenage years when his father signed with the Tigers in 2004 and became the star of Detroit’s rebuild. Dereck spent many days around the ballpark and clubhouse with his father when he wasn’t playing baseball himself.
🙏🙏⚾️⚾️ @tigers @DereckrodRF3 https://t.co/SaS7i31DYt
— Ivan Pudge Rodriguez (@Pudge_Rodriguez) August 31, 2020
The Giants designated Rodríguez for assignment last Wednesday. Tigers general manager Al Avila said last Thursday that Detroit could make some subtle additions to add to its pitching depth after starting prospects Matt Manning and Alex Faedo were shut down for the season with right forearm strains. The Tigers already had room on their 40-man roster.
Jason Beck has covered the Tigers for MLB.com since 2002. Read Beck’s Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason.