Detroit Tigers News: Tigers recall Jim Adduci from Triple-A Toledo

The Deuce is loose! Shortly after their nailbiting win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, the Detroit Tigers announced that they had recalled outfielder (sorta) Jim Adduci from Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers optioned catcher Grayson Greiner back to Toledo to make room on the 25-man roster, and moved Miguel Cabrera to the 60-day disabled list to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Adduci played in the outfield for the Tigers last season, when he electrified the fanbase in a short stint with the big league club. However, he has also been playing some first base down in Toledo this year, and will likely see time there this week as the Tigers head to Chicago for a two-game series against the Cubs. Manager Ron Gardenhire said as much when asked about the move, which also gives the Tigers another left-handed bat for a lineup that has struggled to score since Cabrera landed on the DL.

It may also mean less playing time for starting catcher James McCann in the short term. The 28-year-old McCann has hit a wall recently, batting just .150/.177/.167 over the past 30 days. He has a .602 OPS on the season, and a paltry 47 wRC+ against right-handed pitching. With Adduci in the fold as another option at first, we may see John Hicks get a few more starts behind the plate.

A J2 Day actually worth celebrating

The Tigers were formerly very stingy on the international market, spreading a limited amount of money around on a number of lesser known talents. Some of those players, like the now-departed Willy Adames, have panned out. Many did not.

Those days appear to be over. The Tigers signed four international free agents on Monday, two of which ranked among MLB Pipeline’s top 20 international prospects for the 2018-19 “J2” signing period. Shortstop Adinso Reyes received a $1.45 million signing bonus, while outfielder Jose de la Cruz earned $1.8 million. Both bonuses are higher than any amount Detroit has ever spent on an international free agent.

While these teenagers are still light years away from the major leagues, Katie Strang of The Athletic broke down what the organization sees in each of these four players.

The Tigers still have over $1 million in bonus pool money remaining, which could still keep them in the Victor Victor sweepstakes.

Mike on Fiers

If you somehow missed it, Mike Fiers was incredible on Monday afternoon and helped deliver a 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. He was so incredible, in fact, that people are asking why he was taken out of the game after eight innings. He had only thrown 89 pitches at that point, and the Blue Jays had just three hits against him in eight frames.

But I don’t mind the decision. Say what you want about antiquated bullpen roles, but Joe Jimenez is the team’s closer of the future. The organization needs to put him in position to learn (and earn) that role. With Shane Greene on the disabled list, this was the opportunity.

Plus, if strikes are called strikes, Jimenez gets his save and we’re not having this conversation.

The last time the Tigers visited Wrigley Field, this happened

Our friends at Bleed Cubbie Blue took an early look at the upcoming series.

Around the horn

Jon Gray was demoted to the minor leagues. He probably didn’t deserve it. The Angels’ season is already over. Mariners prospect Sam Carlson underwent Tommy John surgery. Good luck getting Matthew Boyd now, Dipoto. Cole Hamels might be traded before the All-Star break. Some guy got beaned by a ceremonial first pitch. It’s time for the Cardinals to sell. But only if their GM could stop putting his foot in his mouth.

Baseball is awesome