The Detroit Tigers’ offseason of low-risk, high-upside acquisitions continued on Thursday when they claimed right-handed reliever Johnny Barbato off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Barbato, 25, posted a 4.08 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 24 appearances with the Pirates last season. He made 13 appearances for the New York Yankees in 2016.
Barbato is considered by scouts to have good stuff and earns a plus in durability, but has yet to throw enough strikes or show the type of pitching aptitude to make his mark. He profiles as a long reliever.
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With the acquisition, the Tigers’ 40-man roster is full.