Tigers purchase contracts of three players

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has purchased the contracts of righthanded pitchers Melvin Mercedes and Bruce Rondon and shortstop Dixon Machado from Triple A Toledo. Additionally, the club today has released outfielder Ryan Raburn and outrighted the contract of righthanded pitcher Tyler Stohr to Triple A Toledo.

Mercedes, 22, spent the majority of the 2012 season with Single A West Michigan and he compiled a 0-3 record, 2.80 ERA (64.1IP/20ER), nine saves and 43 strikeouts. He limited opponents in the Midwest League to a .230 batting average (54x235) during the season. Mercedes appeared in one game with Single A Lakeland during the 2012 season, tossing a scoreless inning.

Rondon, 21, was tabbed the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2012 as he finished 2-1 with a 1.53 ERA (53.0IP/9ER), 29 saves and 66 strikeouts in 52 appearances between Single A Lakeland, Double A Erie and Triple A Toledo. He limited opponents to a .172 batting average (32x186) between three levels in 2012. Rondon earned a spot on the World Team for the Futures Game held prior to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game in Kansas City this season.

Machado, 20, batted .195 (82x421) with 59 runs scored, 16 doubles, a triple, two home runs, 37 RBI and 23 stolen bases in 119 games with Single A Lakeland during the 2012 season. He topped all Florida State League shortstops with a .966 fielding percentage this season.

Raburn, 31, hit .171 (35x205) with 14 doubles, a home run and 12 RBI in 66 games with the Tigers during the 2012 season.

Stohr, 26, finished 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA (24.2IP/6ER) in 23 appearances with Double A Erie in 2012.

Detroit’s roster now stands at 39 and will be submitted to the Commissioner’s Office to meet today’s deadline.