Tigers option RHP Joe Jimenez to Triple-A Toledo, recall William Cuevas

Right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez made his major league debut on Thursday, threw a scoreless inning, and recorded his first career strikeout. His reward? A trip back to the minors.

Jimenez was optioned to Triple-A Toledo following the Detroit Tigers’ blowout loss to Minnesota. In his place, the Tigers have recalled righthander William Cuevas.

Cuevas is a 26-year-old righthander from Venezuela who signed a minor league contract with the Tigers in November 2016. He was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in 2008, and slowly ascended through their minor league system. He made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2016, allowing two runs on five hits and six walks in five innings. Cuevas’ lone appearance for the Mud Hens this season was April 10; he allowed three hits over six shutout innings with six strikeouts against the Louisville Bats.

While fans will not be happy with the move, Cuevas is up to provide more depth to a bullpen that logged 10 ¹⁄₃ innings in the Tigers’ series against Minnesota. He is stretched out as a starter and can shoulder a multi-inning load if needed. Blaine Hardy and Bruce Rondon, two relievers that have already made appearances for the Tigers this season, could not be recalled yet because they have not spent at least 10 days in the minor leagues following their respective demotions.