Right-handed pitcher Luke Putkonen will be joining the Tigers after the team purchased his contract from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Right-hander Thad Weber was sent back to Toledo after about a week in the big leagues. I have a feeling this isn't going to be the last I-75 pitching swap that occurs this year.
Putkonen is not on the 40-man roster yet, but there is room to make the addition after Al Alburquerque was transferred the 60-day disabled list yesterday.
This is Putkonen's sixth season with the Tigers organization. A University of North Carolina product who was drafted in the third round in 2007, he has made slow but steady progress from level to level after making his professional debut as a 21-year-old.
This season he has a 1.38 ERA for the Mud Hens in 13 innings of relief work. A starter for most of his career, he has a 3.98 ERA as a pro.
Weber made two appearances. He allowed four runs and 10 hits in four innings for Detroit.