The Detroit Tigers are about to begin their push towards the postseason on Friday, as the MLB All-Star break comes to an end.
The Tigers are one of the best teams in baseball thanks to a strong first-half performance on the mound and at the plate from several players. Detroit has the goal of winning the AL Central and, hopefully, winning the AL pennant in October.
It won’t be easy, though, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them make a couple of moves at or by the trade deadline, which could have ramifications on the big league and minor league roster.
Speaking of transactions, at this point in the regular season, teams are re-shuffling their rosters to find players who can fill a void in the short and long term. Meanwhile, veterans, who have been DFA’d, are trying to find new opportunities.
One former Tigers pitcher was in the latter category, but has latched on with a new organization, as we gear up for the second half of the season.
Ex-Tigers Pitcher Elvin Rodriguez Signs With Baltimore Orioles
On Wednesday, the Baltimore Orioles announced that they claimed former Tigers pitcher Elvin Rodriguez off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers. He was immediately optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. The Brew Crew designated Rodriguez for assignment on July 9.
The Orioles have made the following roster move:
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 16, 2025
- Claimed RHP Elvin Rodríguez off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 39 players.
The 27-year-old right-handed pitcher signed a one-year deal worth $900,000 with the Brewers this offseason. Rodriguez had a 0-2 record and 8.68 ERA in six appearances (two starts) with Milwaukee.
The right-handed pitcher also had 16 appearances with the Brewers’ Triple-A club, the Nashville Sounds, where he posted a 4.25 ERA.
Rodriguez made his major league debut with the Tigers during the 2022 season. The 6-foot-4 pitcher appeared in seven games, which included five starts. The right-handed hurler struggled on the mound, posting a 0-4 record and 10.62 ERA.
He was with the Tigers’ organization dating back to the 2018 season, spending most of his time in the minors, outside of his brief stint in 2022. Detroit outrighted the right-handed pitcher to the minors in November 2022, and he eventually signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in January 2023.
Rodriguez made one major league appearance with the Rays during the 2023 season and 10 appearances in Triple-A before taking his talents to Japan for the rest of the 2023 and all of the 2024 seasons.