MLB news

Watson, 29, was added to a 40-man roster for the first time in July, when the Tigers opted to protect him instead of letting him leave for an opportunity elsewhere. However, they never called him up afterwards, and neither did the Mariners after they claimed him off waivers in August. He ended up with a 3.14 ERA in 80 1/3 innings in the minors, and the Mariners outrighted him earlier this month, clearing the way for his move to Asia.

He’ll head to Triple-A Tacoma. The 29-year-old Watson, an experienced swingman, has never pitched in the majors. The Tigers added him to their 40-man last month in order to prevent him from leaving the organization, but they kept him in Triple-A afterwards and DFA’d him earlier this week. He had a 3.27 ERA and a 38/18 K/BB in 55 innings over eight starts and nine relief appearances for Triple-A Toledo.

Watson never wound up making it to Detroit after being added to the club’s 40-man roster last month. The 29-year-old reliever should clear waivers and wind up back at Triple-A Toledo.

With Will Vest being moved to the 60-day injured list on Sunday, the Tigers had an opening on their 40-man roster to add Watson. The 29-year-old hurler has compiled a 2.88 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 39/20 K/BB ratio over 56 1/3 innings primarily at Triple-A Toledo this season. He could get a chance to finally make his big league debut before the summer is through.

Watson, 28, had a 2.75 ERA and a 97/37 K/BB in 104 2/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A last year. He opened up as a reliever at Erie before making 14 starts, with the last 10 of those coming at Toledo. He’ll make an unusually high $1.2 million if he’s in the majors, which is probably meant to discourage anyone from taking him in the Rule 5 draft.