The Detroit Tigers are making big changes to the roster. Not only did the Tigers promote Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney from Triple-A Toledo for their MLB debuts. However, the Tigers also designated veteran third baseman Gio Urshela for assignment, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Petzold did add that Urshela, 32, is still owed about $353,000 of his $1.5 million 2024 salary. If he is claimed off waivers, the new team will take on his remaining contract.
In a corresponding move, outfielder Akil Baddoo was optioned to Triple-A. To open another 40-man roster spot, left-hander Easton Lucas was designated for assignment.
Tigers Veteran Gio Urshela Designated for Assignment
Urshela signed a one-year, $1.5 million free agent deal with the Tigers over the offseason. He quickly stepped in as Detroit’s regular third baseman. Urshela suffered a hamstring injury in early April, who missed most of the 2023 season recovering from a pelvic fracture. He hit .299/.329/.474 for the Angels but didn’t play again after June 15 due to his recovery. His bat this season started to come around following a rough first half, but the Tigers seem to be turning their attention toward next season.
Once Detroit moved Colt Keith from third to second base, they slid Jung to the hot corner. He has started 68 games there this season compared to 17 starts at second base. Jung, the younger brother of Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung, was hitting .257/.377/.454 with 14 home runs through 415 plate appearances. In platoon situations, he’s hitting .272/.402/.510 against right-handed pitchers. Sweeney, who the Tigers acquired in the Jack Flaherty deal, isn’t the same caliber of prospect as Jung, but he will get looks at shortstop in place of Javier Baez.
With a four game winning streak at hand, the Tigers sit 7 1/2 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the American League.
Main Photo: © Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
