Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Detroit Tigers acquire Justin Wilson from New York Yankees in exchange for Luis Cessa and Chad Green

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers announced today that the club has acquired lefthanded pitcher Justin Wilson from the New York Yankees in exchange for righthanded pitchers Luis Cessa and Chad Green.

"Justin provides us with a power lefthanded arm who has the ability to pitch towards the back end of our bullpen," said Al Avila, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager.

Wilson, 28, pitched in 74 games for the Yankees in 2015 and compiled a 5-0 record with a 3.10 ERA (61.0IP/21ER) and 66 strikeouts. The 6-2, 203 lbs. lefthander ranked tied for second in the American League with 74 appearances. Wilson allowed just 15.9 percent (7x44) of his inherited runners to score, which was the second-lowest percentage of inherited runners scored in the American League, while he retired 73.0 percent (54x74) of first batters faced.

In four seasons at the major league level with Pittsburgh (2012-14) and the New York Yankees (2015), Wilson has posted a 14-5 career record with a 3.03 ERA (199.1IP/67ER) and 193 strikeouts in 210 appearances. He was originally drafted by the Pirates in the fifth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. 

Cessa, 23, was acquired from the New York Mets on July 31, 2015. Cessa spent time last season with Double A Binghamton, Triple A Las Vegas and Triple A Toledo and combined for an 8-10 record with a 4.52 ERA (139.1IP/70ER) and 119 strikeouts in 25 starts.

Green, 24, started 27 games for Double A Erie in 2015 and had a 5-14 record with a 3.93 ERA (148.2IP/65ER) and 137 strikeouts.

Read More: Detroit Tigers