Tigers clear roster spots to activate Verlander for Comerica Park farewell
The short version
- The Tigers optioned Andrew Sears and moved Kerry Carpenter to the 60-day IL on Sept. 26 to activate Justin Verlander.
- Verlander is scheduled to start against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the final game of his career before retirement.
- Sears, 24, posted a 7.11 ERA with 15 strikeouts and eight walks over 19 innings in six appearances.
- A.J. Hinch praised Sears' stuff and makeup, saying he has a bright future despite needing to refine his secondary pitches.
- Detroit is expected to make another move Sunday to open a spot for Jack Flaherty in the season finale.
Detroit optioned rookie Andrew Sears and moved Kerry Carpenter to the 60-day injured list to put Justin Verlander in line for his final career start against Pittsburgh.
The Detroit Tigers made a pair of roster moves on Saturday, Sept. 26, clearing the way for Justin Verlander to come off the injured list and make one last start at Comerica Park. The outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates will be the final appearance of Verlander's career before he retires. To open the necessary roster spot, Detroit optioned left-hander Andrew Sears and transferred outfielder Kerry Carpenter to the 60-day injured list.
Sears, 24, reached the majors for the first time this season, debuting on Aug. 23. He appeared in six games for the Tigers and posted a 7.11 ERA over 19 innings, striking out 15 while issuing eight walks. The results were mixed, but the organization views the stint as a foundation for his development rather than a verdict on his ability.
Manager A.J. Hinch praised the rookie's tools and temperament. "I'm really impressed by Andrew Sears and what he has to offer," Hinch said. "He's got a lot to work on this winter, and he got his first taste of the big leagues." Hinch cited Sears' energetic delivery, competitive intensity and velocity as reasons for optimism heading into next season.
Hinch noted that Sears advanced quickly through the system, jumping from Double-A to the majors with only brief time at Triple-A. He said the rookie now needs to sharpen his secondary pitches and improve execution, adding that some of the damage against him reflected the heightened margin for error at the big-league level rather than a lack of ability. "His stuff is good enough," Hinch said. "He's got a bright future."
As a procedural matter, Sears was assigned to Lakeland in the Florida Coast League, but Hinch clarified that the assignment is purely technical. The FCL is the only affiliate currently active, so the pitcher will not actually report to the complex.
The Tigers are not done adjusting their roster. The team is expected to complete another transaction on Sunday to create space for Jack Flaherty, who is lined up to pitch the final game of the regular season.
The immediate focus, though, is Verlander, whose return to the mound at Comerica Park gives Detroit fans a chance to see the future Hall of Famer close out his career in the uniform where it began.
The Pirates visit the Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 3:10 PM EDT, with coverage available on MLB.TV and Tigers.TV.
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