Tigers to promote Pat McCoy from Triple-A Toledo, place Ian Krol on 15-day DL

The Tigers have announced the call up of left-handed reliever Pat McCoy from Triple-A Toledo, who will replace Ian Krol in Detroit's bullpen. In 13 games with the Mud Hens, McCoy is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA.

Krol, who allowed four runs off a pair of home runs in two-thirds of an inning in the Tigers' 6-4 victory over the Indians, has been dealing with a 'dead arm' and was placed on the 15-day DL with left shoulder inflammation.

The Tigers also needed to make room on the 40-man roster after purchasing McCoy's contract, doing so by shifting Luke Putkonen from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL. Putkonen is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow.

Last week we had this to say about McCoy:

"Pat McCoy is a southpaw refugee cut loose by the Nationals after seven minor league seasons and now pitching in relief for Toledo. At first glance Pat is appealing, with a 2.55 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. But he has less than 20 innings, and started the season in Erie with mediocre results. McCoy is a poor man's Ian Krol, and the Tigers are not poor."

The Tigers may not be poor, but this is a good example of why spending big bucks on relief pitching makes little sense. The Tigers paid handsomely for Krol, as he was part of the ransom for Doug Fister. On the other hand McCoy was signed as a minor league free agent, barely making a blip on our radar.

McCoy's minor league record is not indicative of major league domination, being he gives up a lot of hits but does not walk many. He has allowed an OPS of only .551 against left-handed hitters this year, so there may be some hope as a LOOGY. But last year, spent in mostly Double-A ball,  it was .911. I would rather see Blaine Hardy or Phil Coke facing a left-handed hitter in a pressure situation. Actually, I would rather see most any of the right-handed relievers too.

Let's hope McCoy imitates J.D. Martinez and Eugenio Suarez by seizing the opportunity to claim a permanent spot.