DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers plan to select the contract of right-handed reliever Dylan Smith before Friday’s game in Kansas City.
Smith, who made his Triple-A debut just a few days ago, would be making his MLB debut if he gets into a game.
The corresponding move has not yet been announced.
Right-hander Jackson Jobe was absent from the Tigers’ clubhouse on Wednesday after a start in which his velocity was notably diminished. Jobe’s next scheduled start isn’t until June 3, so the Tigers could opt to use an extra bullpen arm while they sort out their rotation plans.
Smith, who turned 25 on Wednesday, was a third-round pick out of the University of Alabama in 2021. He was considered such a valued prospect early in his career that he received an invitation to big-league camp in 2022. But his minor-league journey has been bumpy, and he’s battled injuries along the way.
The Tigers moved him to the bullpen this year, and the transition has gone well. Smith posted a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings with Double-A Erie, striking out 27 and walking seven. In two appearances with Triple-A Toledo, he has struck out five over 2 1/3 innings.
Once Smith is added, the Tigers’ 40-man roster will be full.
TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Left-handed pitchers (5): Sean Guenther, Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn**, Brant Hurter, Tarik Skubal.
Right-handed pitchers (17): John Brebbia, Beau Brieske, Alex Cobb*, Jack Flaherty, Jason Foley**, Brenan Hanifee, Jackson Jobe, Tommy Kahnle, Chase Lee, Matt Manning, Tyler Mattison**, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson*, Dylan Smith, Tyler Owens, Will Vest.
Catchers (2): Dillon Dingler, Jake Rogers.
Infielders (9): Javier Báez, Jace Jung, Andy Ibáñez, Colt Keith, Ryan Kreidler, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres.
Outfielders (7): Akil Baddoo, Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Brewer Hicklen, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Wenceel Pérez, Matt Vierling.
*On 10-day or 15-day injured list
**On minor-league injured list
Right-handed pitchers Alex Lange (right lat strain and surgery), Sawyer Gipson-Long (Tommy John surgery and hip), José Urquidy (Tommy John surgery) and Ty Madden (rotator cuff strain); and outfielder Parker Meadows (right upper arm inflammation) are on the 60-day injured list and do not count against the 40-man roster.
