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Tigers Add Veteran Reliever Burch Smith on Minor-League Deal

The 35-year-old right-hander will head to spring training to vie for a bullpen role.

Overview

  • Multiple outlets report the agreement includes a non-roster spring invitation, with unannounced terms reported as $1.5 million if he makes the MLB roster plus $250,000 in incentives.
  • Burch Smith last pitched in the majors in 2024 and spent 2025 with Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 7.08 ERA before the Pirates released him in late July.
  • He has excelled this winter for Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Republic, logging a 1.76 ERA and six saves across 18 appearances.
  • Smith has parts of six MLB seasons with seven clubs and owns a 5.79 career ERA over 247⅓ innings, following stints in Japan in 2022 and South Korea in 2023.
  • The move continues Detroit’s offseason approach of adding pitching depth through minor-league signings and non-roster invites.