LAKELAND, Fla. -- For the second time in a month, the Tigers have re-signed a pitcher they dealt away at the Trade Deadline last July. This time, it’s lefty Andrew Chafin, who’s back for a third stint with Detroit on a Minor League deal with a non-roster invite to Major League camp.
The 34-year-old Chafin, who has signed with the Tigers as a free agent three times in four years, pitched in 41 games for Detroit last year before being traded to Texas. He posted a 3-2 record, a 3.16 ERA and a 2.54 FIP with Detroit, striking out 50 batters over 37 innings. He went 1-1 with a 4.19 ERA in 21 games with the Rangers.
Chafin posted reverse splits for the season: Right-handed hitters batted .228/.326/.317 against him, compared with .273/.363/.375 from left-handed batters.
Chafin has always been fond of his Detroit time in part because it is close to his farm in Ohio, allowing him to head home on off-days. He also has been more effective with the Tigers than with any of his other clubs over the past few years.
Chafin’s non-roster invite will put him in the same camp with right-handed reliever Chase Lee, one of the prospects the Tigers acquired from Texas for Chafin. The other prospect in the package, right-hander Joseph Montalvo (Detroit's No. 16 prospect), is in Minor League camp.
Chafin’s return adds another contestant to an already crowded bullpen competition. While Detroit returned all the relievers from last year’s "pitching chaos" that helped lift the team to its first postseason berth since 2014, the Tigers also added veteran right-handers Tommy Kahnle and John Brebbia on one-year contracts.
The lefty mix becomes particularly interesting with Chafin back. Tyler Holton remains the primary southpaw, but Sean Guenther took on a big role after Chafin left, allowing just two runs on nine hits over 21 innings following his August callup from Triple-A Toledo. Brant Hurter, a valuable swingman down the stretch last year, is another strong option, while Dietrich Enns and Matt Gage are in camp as non-roster invites.