The Detroit Tigers entered Tuesday with the best record in Major League Baseball and are looking to add to that when they open a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.
While the Tigers are in a great position to make the postseason for the second straight season and compete for their first American League Central division title since 2013, president of baseball operations Scott Harris and general manager Jeff Greenberg can’t sit idly by and hope it happens.
This means the Tigers will make a few attempts to improve the roster over the final four months of the season. While fans hope they make a major addition at this year’s trade deadline, some moves pan out better than others. One failed addition has been on a whirlwind over the past month and is set to join his fourth team after a short stint with the Tigers.
Former Tigers Pitcher Ryan Cusick Claimed by Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies claimed right-handed pitcher Ryan Cusick hours before they begin a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. Cusick has to pitch in a major league game this season, but has taken a quick tour through several organizations as the Phillies mark his third team this month.
Cusick began his season in the Athletics organization, posting a 6.75 ERA in 13 appearances with Triple-A Las Vegas. After being designated for assignment for the first time, the Tigers picked him up on May 30.
He made one scoreless appearance with Triple-A Toledo before being designated for assignment on June 2 and picked up by the Chicago White Sox before a third designation on June 6.
The 25-year-old has been optioned to the Florida Complex League as part of the claim, but should be able to return to Triple-A when he gets up to speed. A former first-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2021, he was part of the Matt Olson trade but has never been able to fulfill his potential.
The Phillies are hoping that Cusick will be able to succeed in their organization, but no team has been able to crack the code so far. Now in his fifth major league organization, Cusick will hope to break through and get off the carousel he’s been on over the past two weeks.