(PHOTO: mlb.com) Facing three batters and walking two of them is enough to drive a manager crazy. It’s also enough to get cut from the team, as relief pitcher Drew VerHagen found out today. The Tigers designated the 27 year old right-hander for assignment today. VerHagen is out of options, so he is unable to report directly to Toledo. With his designation, Detroit has 7 days to place him on waivers or release him outright. If no other team claims him, the team can send him to Toledo. This season, VerHagen was 0-1 with a 6.30 ERA this season with 11 strikeouts, 7 walks, and 7 earned runs in 10 innings pitched over 9 games.
To fill the roster spot vacated by VerHagen, the Tigers recalled outfielder Mike Gerber. Listed as the #11 overall and #3 outfield prospect in the Tigers’ organization according to MLB.com, Gerber is a 25-year-old who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, and was batting .196 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in 56 at-bats at Triple-A Toledo this year. His scouting report notes that “None of Gerber’s tools jump off the page, but he can do a lot of things well to help a team win”. Gerber will join the team in time for Tuesday’s game at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
You can catch that game, and every Tiger game this season on Jackson ESPN 101.9fm.