Detroit Tigers Recall Pitcher Prior to Series Opener vs. Mariners

The Detroit Tigers have bolstered their pitching lineup just ahead of their series opener against the Seattle Mariners. On Tuesday, the club announced the recall of right-handed pitcher Yilber Díaz from Triple-A Toledo. The 25-year-old will be donning uniform No. 62 in future games. Díaz previously donned a major league uniform with the Arizona Diamondbacks, making eight appearances and starting four games during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

However, his time in the big leagues has been marked by struggles, as he posted a 6.19 ERA and a 1.688 WHIP across 32 innings. His sole outing with Arizona in 2026 was particularly troublesome, with seven earned runs allowed and just two outs recorded. Díaz's performance has improved since joining Detroit, where he has been a valuable asset in the bullpen.

Over 10 outings with the Toledo Mud Hens this season, Díaz has posted a 2.38 ERA with 12 strikeouts in 11⅓ innings. The promotion of Díaz comes one day after the trade deadline and aligns with the Tigers' strategy under president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Instead of signing additional bullpen help from outside sources, Detroit is looking to develop pitching options among their existing personnel.

Díaz's return to the majors provides the Tigers with an additional bullpen option as they enter the post-deadline phase of their season, aiming to stay competitive in the American League playoff race.