One of the downsides of reconfiguring the Tigers pitching staff at the MLB trade deadline last Thursday is that, just as there can be positives with new additions, something always has to give, roster-wise. But for Detroit, there was some surprise as to whom they picked to lop off the big-league club to make room for the newcomers.
The Tigers announced they’d sent Brenan Hanifee back to Toledo.
Hanifee was one of the few Tigers who did not go entirely sideways in July. In fact, he logged a 0.77 ERA and a WHIP of 0.94 in 11.2 innings for the month, and was named one of the team’s “Relievers of the Month” for July.
That was Friday. On Saturday, the team welcomed 41-year-old starter Charlie Morton to the fold, and the corresponding move was to send Hanifee back to Triple A.
Tigers Bullpen a Work in Progress
On the season, Hanifee has made 46 appearances and given up a 3.10 ERA in 52.1 innings pitched. He’s been a reliable bullpen arm, and had allowed one run in 12 appearances from June 22 through July 30.
On Friday, in the Tigers’ frustrating loss to the Phillies, it was Hanifee who took it on the chin, as he blew a save and took the loss in a waste of an excellent start from Jack Flaherty (6.0 innings, two hits, one run, seven strikeouts). Hanifee gave up two runs in 0.2 innings–one of which was unearned, but was the result of Hanifee’s own throwing error.
From Evan Woodbery, who covers the Tigers for MLive, the Tigers will have a remade relief corps:
“The Tigers’ bullpen now looks like this: Right-handers Kyle Finnegan, Rafael Montero, Will Vest, Tommy Kahnle, Luke Jackson and Troy Melton; and left-handers Tyler Holton and Brant Hurter.”
“It’s a tough-luck scenario (for Hanifee),” manager A.J. Hinch said, via Woodbery.
Jack Flaherty on the Rebound?
The Tigers will get their first look at Morton in a Detroit uniform on Sunday when they face the Phillies in the series finale.
In the meantime, there may be a sigh of relief with the showing from Flaherty on Friday. The team was looking to be without a No. 2 after Tarik Skubal, but Flaherty rebounded with 6.0 scoreless innings on July 27, followed by Friday’s strong outing.
“I though he was really good,” Hinch said. “I thought he had both spin. His fastball was pretty good and he could finish some at-bats. I mean, he did an incredible job of being efficient early and continued to attack the plate. He was in complete control of the game. Obviously getting to the fifth without a hit, only a couple walks and really did a nice job of setting this up for a chance to win. I mean, we had a chance to win twice.”
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