The Tigers introduced that outfielder TJ Hopkins has been designated for task because the corresponding transfer for infielder Gio Urshela, who was signed to a one-year deal earlier in the present day.
Hopkins, 27, was with the Reds final 12 months however has been bouncing across the league in latest months. He was designated for task in December when Cincy signed Austin Wynns, later getting flipped to the Giants in a money deal. He lasted a few months on the Giants’ roster however was designated task once more in mid-February when that membership acquired Otto López. The Tigers claimed him off waivers two days in the past however he’s now obtained his third DFA of the offseason.
He made his main league debut final 12 months however hit simply .171/.227/.171 in 25 video games. His 94-game exhibiting in Triple-A was way more spectacular as he drew walks at a 14% clip and hit 16 residence runs, resulting in a slash of .308/.411/.514 and a 134 wRC+. He’s principally performed left discipline however has expertise in any respect three outfield slots.
He’s by no means actually been a highly-touted prospect but it surely appears final 12 months’s robust Triple-A exhibiting is intriguing sufficient for a number of golf equipment to have acquired him. He nonetheless has two possibility years and could possibly be a pleasant depth piece someplace. The Tigers will now have one week to commerce him or go him by way of waivers. Primarily based on the best way his offseason has gone thus far, it wouldn’t be a shock if he landed on one other roster. If he had been to go by way of waivers unclaimed, he would follow the Tigers as non-roster depth.
