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Detroit Tigers sign right-hander Chris Smith to minor-league deal

Marlins Man, a.k.a. Laurence Leavy, speaks with Dave Birkett on radio row for Super Bowl 54 on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, in Miami. Detroit Free Press

A year ago, Chris Smith sustained the first serious injury of Detroit Tigers spring training.

After signing a minor-league deal with the Tigers last December, the journeyman right-hander injured his arm while throwing his first live batting practice session of the spring.

The diagnosis to follow represented the worst-case scenario: Smith underwent elbow ligament reconstruction surgery and was soon released.