Tigers sign free-agent reliever Seabold with Brieske on 60-day IL
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The Tigers will be without Beau Brieske until at least the end of May with a left adductor strain, but the club added relief depth Monday by signing veteran right-hander Connor Seabold to a one-year split contract worth $800,000 at the Major League level.
The 30-year-old Seabold -- a veteran who’s player for the Red Sox, Rockies, Rays and Braves -- was in camp with the Blue Jays as a non-roster invite after splitting last season between the Tampa Bay and Atlanta organizations. He exercised his release clause on Saturday when Toronto didn’t add him to its roster.
While Seabold showed a lot of strikeout potential, fanning 13 batters over 6 2/3 innings in Grapefruit League play, he also allowed five runs on seven hits, four walks and three hit batters. He showed better control as Spring Training wore on, tossing 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball with two walks and nine strikeouts over four appearances in March.
Seabold normally flashes a 92-93 mph fastball, mid- to upper-80s slider and low-80s changeup. However, his fastball was closer to the mid-90s for much of camp with a good amount of ride. Harnessing that extra velocity and refining command will be up to the Tigers’ pitching department.
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The 30-year-old Seabold spent the first part of his career as a starter, including his 2024 season with KBO’s Samsung Lions, but he worked in relief for most of last season.
Brieske’s move to the 60-day IL continues his frustrating quest to stay healthy since his dominant 2024 postseason in the Tigers' bullpen. The 27-year-old came to Spring Training feeling good after missing most of last year with a right ankle injury and a right forearm strain, but Brieske made just three appearances in Grapefruit League play. Back spasms sidelined him for a stretch, then the adductor strain ensured he would not start the season on time. The Tigers were initially hopeful he could return early in the season.
By going on the 60-day IL now, Brieske will be out until at least the last week in May. But it also opened a 40-man roster spot for Seabold.