The Tigers make 2 big moves to start the 2nd half of the season



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DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers sent out struggling infielder Willi Castro and severed ties – possibly permanently – with veteran outfielder Nomar Mazara.

Both moves came just hours before the Tigers began the second half of the season with a double-stack against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park.

To fill the two spots on the list, the Tigers have recalled infielder Isaac Paredes and outfielder Derek Hill from Triple-A Toledo.

In addition, left-handed pitcher Miguel Del Pozo will be the 27th man for the doubles program.

Castro, 24, was perhaps the Tigers’ leading hitter in a cropped 2020 season, averaging 0.349 and 0.932 OPS in 140 home plate appearances.

He didn’t even come close to those numbers in 2021 (.619 OPS in 280 home plate appearances), but his continued defensive struggles are more worrying. Castro started the season as an everyday shortstop. He was moved to second row at the end of April, but continued to struggle.

According to the Defensive Runs Saved metric, Castro has been the lowest rated infielder in each of the past two seasons.

Mazara, 26, signed a one-year, $ 1.75 million contract ahead of the season. After four solid seasons with the Texas Rangers, Mazara’s power collapsed in 2020 with the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers were hoping that a change of scenery could produce a rebound season.

But Mazara’s numbers in Detroit were largely the same as those in Chicago. He only hit .212 with a .597 OPS and three home runs in 181 home plate appearances.

Mazara has been nominated for an assignment, which immediately removes him from the 40-man roster. If he clears the waivers without being claimed by another team, he has the right to become a free agent instead of accepting an assignment at Toledo.

The Tigers already have plenty of outfielder in Toledo, free will seems the most likely outcome.

Paredes, 22, and Hill, 25, have already played for the Tigers this year.

Paredes is 5-for-29 with the Tigers this year and has played second, shortstop and third.

Hill, known as an elite center fielder, is 4 for 14 at the big league level. His last stint was cut short five weeks ago when he injured himself crashing into the wall to catch up.

Del Pozo, 28, has already played for the Tigers twice, but only pitched one game.

This story will be updated.

LIST OF 40 TIGER MEN (39)

The players in bold are on the active list of 26 players.

Left handed pitchers (9): Tyler alexander, Matthew Boyd *, Miguel Del Pozo, Derek Holland *, Ian krol, Daniel norris, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz.

Right handed pitchers (14): José Cisnero, Alex Faedo **, Farmer, Jason Foley, Michael Fulmer *, Kyle funkhauser, Bryan Garcia, Joe jimenez, Alex Lange, Matt Manning, Casey mize, Wily Peralta, Erasmo ramirez, Jose urena.

Catchers (3): Grayson Greiner, Eric Haase, Jake rogers.

Infielders (8): Miguel Cabrera, Jeimer candelario, Harold castro, Willi Castro, Niko Goodrum, Isaac Paredes, Jonathan schoop, Zack shorts.

Voltigeurs (5): Akil Baddoo, Daz Cameron *, Robbie grossman, Derek hill, Victor Reyes.

* on the 10-day Major League injured list

** on the 7-day minor league injured list

Right-handed pitchers Julio Teheran (sprained right shoulder), Rony Garcia (knee) and Spencer Turnbull (sprained right forearm) are on the injured list after 60 days, removing them from the list of 40 players.

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