After signing utility man Mike Aviles to a yet undisclosed and still possibly infuriating contract on Friday, the Detroit Tigers needed to clear room on their 40-man roster for their newest player. There were several likely candidates to be designated for assignment, but the Tigers zigged where many would have zagged and gave lefthander Kyle Lobstien the heave-ho.
Lobstein has earned the trust of the Tigers fanbase despite some middling overall numbers early in his career. He posted a 4.35 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in seven appearances down the stretch in 2014, stabilizing a starting rotation in flux as the Tigers won the AL Central by a whisker.