Tigers Make Roster Move, Designate Joey Wentz for Assignment

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The Detroit Tigers have announced the designation for assignment of left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz, paving the way for the return of right-hander Casey Mize from the 60-day injured list. This roster adjustment was reported by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press.

Joey Wentz, a former highly-touted prospect, was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves as the No. 40 overall pick in 2016. His journey took a pivotal turn when he was traded to the Tigers in a deal involving right-handed pitcher Shane Greene. Wentz made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2022, showing promise in his initial outings by posting a 3.03 ERA over seven starts.

However, the 26-year-old has struggled to replicate his early success in subsequent seasons. In 2023, Wentz’s performance dipped significantly, recording a 6.90 ERA across 25 appearances, which included 19 starts. His vulnerability to home runs was notably problematic, yielding one of the highest home run rates among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched.

The 2024 season offered slight improvements for Wentz, but his 5.37 ERA over 55 1/3 innings was not enough to secure his spot on the Tigers’ roster. Due to being out of minor league options, the Tigers were compelled to designate Wentz for assignment to make room for Mize, a former first overall pick making his way back to the majors.

Wentz will now be subject to waivers and could be claimed by any of the 29 other MLB teams. Should he clear waivers, he would likely continue with the Tigers organization as a depth option in Triple-A Toledo, albeit off the 40-man roster. This move underscores the often challenging and competitive nature of maintaining a position in Major League Baseball, particularly for players navigating the transition from promising prospects to established professionals.