The Tigers added to their bullpen depth on Saturday by purchasing the contract of Joe Mantiply from Double-A Erie, bringing up the lefty reliever for his first Major League stint.
Mantiply is expected to be available to pitch for Saturday night’s game against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. He becomes the second reliever the Tigers have added since rosters expanded on Thursday. Detroit designated Donn Roach for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
The fact that Mantiply made the jump from Double-A makes the move a bit of a surprise. Though the 25-year-old spent most of July at Triple-A Toledo, he gave up four runs on 11 hits over 8 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out seven.