The Tigers have agreed to terms on a minor league deal with righty Drew Hutchison, announced the team.
Hutchison, 31, made nine appearances for the Tigers in 2021 in his first Major League action since 2018. Hutchison had signed a minor league deal in February of last year. He made a pair of starts for the Tigers in August and then spent September working in long relief. Prior to that, Hutchison made 19 starts in Triple-A with a 23.5 K%, 10.8 BB%, and 41.2 GB%.
Hutchison made 32 starts in a solid sophomore season with the Blue Jays back in 2014, even garnering the club’s Opening Day start the following year. He wasn’t able to stick in the Jays’ rotation in 2015, though, and was traded to the Pirates for Francisco Liriano at the 2016 deadline. He was booted off the Pirates’ 40-man roster in September of ’17, electing free agency and signing a minor league deal with the Phillies the following February. He made that team out of camp, but lost his 40-man spot by June. He then moved to the Dodgers on a minor league deal, quickly opting out and signing with the Rangers. Hutchison spent 2019 with the Yankees, Twins, and Angels’ Triple-A affiliates before resurfacing with the Tigers a year ago.
The well-traveled Hutchison hasn’t been particularly effective in Triple-A, and may have to rediscover some of his old magic if he is to rejoin the Tigers’ big league pitching staff.