Entering this weekend’s four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays, the Detroit Tigers have reached their first gut-check moment of the season. Racing out to the best record in baseball during the first half of the season wasn’t easy, but the Tigers made it look that way with a dominant pitching staff and an opportunistic offense.
But after losing nine of their past 10 games, it’s time for Detroit to look at itself in the mirror.
One of the areas of improvement resides in the Tigers’ bullpen, where they may be looking to add a power arm by next week’s trade deadline. With the days ticking down, the Tigers have already made one decision to fix the problem, kicking an embattled reliever to the curb before Thursday’s opener in Detroit.
Tigers Designate Reliever Carlos Hernández for Assignment
Evan Woodbury of MLive sounded the alarm early on Thursday afternoon when he noticed that reliever Carlos Hernández no longer had a locker in the Tigers clubhouse. One hour later, it was confirmed by the team that the right-hander had been designated for assignment and fellow reliever Geoff Hartleib was selected from Triple-A Toledo to take his place.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb has been selected from Triple-A Toledo. He will wear uniform #64 and be available for tonight’s game vs. Toronto.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) July 24, 2025
RHP Carlos Hernandez has been designated for assignment.
Hernández was claimed off waivers to solve one of the Tigers’ biggest issues heading into the deadline. While Detroit has leaned on a strong starting rotation headlined by reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, its bullpen has left something to be desired, ranking 19th with 340 strikeouts and 20th with a 4.03 ERA this season.
The 28-year-old brought some promise with a 97.8 mph fastball that ranked in the 94th percentile, but he had no idea where it was going, posting a 10.8% walk rate according to Baseball Savant. Hernández also logged a 27.2% whiff rate and 28.6% chase rate this season, but hitters sent it a long way when they made contact, posting a 12.6% barrel rate and an average exit velocity of 90.5 mph.
After allowing 12 earned runs in 11 appearances with the Tigers, Hernandez will be looking for his fourth team of the season. He started 2025 as a member of the Kansas City Royals before he was designated for assignment at the end of Spring Training and was claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies before he was DFA'd a second time and picked up by Detroit.
The decision to DFA Hernández is the latest turn in what’s been a revolving spot in the Tigers’ bullpen. John Brebbia got the first crack at the position before posting a 7.71 ERA in 19 appearances, and Hartleib doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade, allowing six earned runs in two appearances before being kicked to the curb by the New York Yankees earlier this month.
If the Tigers can find an upgrade at the deadline, they’ll definitely have a spot for him and perhaps add the piece that could push them over the top in the AL pennant race.