The Tigers made a batch of roster moves, and the biggest one sent Tanner Rainey off the 40-man roster. Detroit selected infielder John Peck and recalled right-hander Yilber Díaz, while outfielder Corey Julks was optioned to Triple-A and Rainey was designated for assignment. Peck’s promotion had already been reported earlier in the day.
Rainey, 33, had just recently gotten his shot in the majors after signing a minor league deal with the Tigers over the offseason and putting together encouraging numbers in the minors. But the results in Detroit never really matched the opportunity.
Over six appearances, he worked seven innings and allowed three earned runs, but the command issues were loud: eight walks in 31 batters faced, a 25.8% clip. He also hit a batter and uncorked four wild pitches.
The control problems were there even before his call-up. In the minors, Rainey walked 14.5% of the hitters he faced, though he still managed a 2.32 ERA behind a 33.5% strikeout rate and a 41.1% ground ball rate.
Once he reached the big leagues, the walks climbed and the strikeout rate dipped to 19.4% of batters faced. The sample was small, but it was enough for Detroit to move on.
Because the trade deadline has already passed, Rainey now has to go through waivers. A club could still be interested in the strikeout totals he posted with Toledo, but the walks are an obvious red flag.
For his career, he owns a 5.46 ERA with a 27.3% strikeout rate and a 15.3% walk rate. If he clears waivers, he would have the option to elect free agency.
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