Tigers claim left-handed reliever Mike Belfiore off waivers

Left-handed relief pitcher Mike Belfiore was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, and was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers this afternoon. The 25-year-old Belfiore was then optioned to Triple-A Toledo, joining a gaggle of left-handers in the Mud Hens bullpen.

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Belfiore as a supplemental pick, 45th overall, in the first round of the 2009 amateur draft. A closer/first baseman for Boston College, Belfiore was a starting pitcher during his first three seasons in the Diamondbacks' system, moving to to the bullpen for the 2012 season.

When the Orioles traded Josh Bell to the Diamondbacks in April 2012 for a player to be named later, the Diamondbacks sent Belfiore to the Orioles in May to complete the trade. Belfiore lived up to his draft status in 2012, his best season to date. He posted a 2.37 ERA with the Diamondbacks' Single-A Visalia affiliate and a 2.85 ERA in 28 games for Double-A Bowie in the Orioles' system.

A 3.18 ERA in 37 appearances over 76 1/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk in 2013 earned Belfiore a September call up. He made one appearance during his cup of coffee with Baltimore, allowing two runs and three hits in 1 1/3 innings of work.

This spring, Belfiore pitched in two games for the Orioles, allowing five hits and one run.