Tigers Invite Veteran Reliever to Spring Training at Last Minute

Spring Training starts this week, and most teams have a good idea of who will be showing up when camp opens. Some teams are still getting that sorted out, however, and are looking to identify new players that could have a chance to make the team.

The Detroit Tigers are still in the process of figuring that out after extending another Spring Training invite to a veteran reliever on Monday.

Detroit Tigers Roster Move

The Tigers agreed to a minor-league contract with reliever Matt Wisler on Monday. While the official details haven't been finalized yet, the deal includes a non-roster invitation to Spring Training.

Wisler, 30, presumably has a good chance of making the team based on his recent success at the MLB level. The right-handed reliever posted a 2.25 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in 44 innings for the Tampa Bay Rays last year, and it wasn't a fluke. Since the beginning of 2020, the eight-year MLB veteran has logged a 2.59 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP in 118 innings over the last three seasons.

That's a pretty significant sample size, so there's reason to believe he can produce similar results in 2023. His numbers last year also came for a much better team (Tampa Bay) in the much tougher division (the AL East), so one would think he'd be good enough for a rebuilding Detroit squad.

Time will tell if Wisler ends up making the Opening Day Roster, but don't be surprised if he does based on his recent track record.