The MLB All-Star break is in full swing as the home run derby was on Monday, and the MLB All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday night.
It’s the perfect time for players and coaches to get a quick break, while other players are being recognized for their accomplishments in the All-Star Game.
The Detroit Tigers are well represented in this year’s MLB All-Star Game, which should give fans something to watch until the action restarts later this week.
While that is happening, teams across the majors are still making roster moves, either involving the big league or minor leagues. Over the weekend, we saw the Tigers grab a veteran reliever, who was most recently with the New York Yankees.
On the other end of the spectrum, some players are still getting optioned down to the minors or designated for assignment. One former Tigers catcher is looking for a new opportunity after just getting activated off the injured list.
Former Tigers Catcher Rob Brantly DFA’d by Miami Marlins
According to MLB.com’s transactions log for Monday, former Detroit Tigers catcher Rob Brantly was designated for assignment. The 36-year-old Brantly was activated from the 60-day injured list due to a right lat strain.
He appeared in three games with the Marlins this season and five with their Triple-A affiliate in Jacksonville for rehab stints.
Tigers fans might not remember Brantly’s time with the organization as he never played a single game in the Motor City. Detroit took the journeyman catcher in the third round of the 2010 MLB Draft after being drafted two years prior in the 46th round by the Washington Nationals.
As a third-round pick, Brantly flew through the system, making it to Triple-A Toledo. However, Detroit traded him, Jacob Turner, and Brian Flynn to the Marlins in exchange for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante.
Since he departed from the Tigers’ organization, Brantly has bounced around the majors and minor leagues, playing for 10 different teams. For his career, the veteran catcher is a .226 hitter, which isn’t moving the needle.
At this stage of his career, it's tough to see any team signing Brantly to a major league deal. If anything, he could snatch up a minor league deal if he clears waivers and elects to head to free agency.