Tigers add Belfiore to lefty-heavy Minors 'pen

DETROIT -- The Tigers continued compiling left-handed relief options Thursday by claiming Mike Belfiore off waivers from the Orioles and optioning him to Triple-A Toledo.

The 25-year-old Belfiore, a Boston College product who made his Major League debut for Baltimore last September, was designated for assignment on Sunday to help the O's make room for Delmon Young on their 40-man roster. Belfiore had a decent year at Triple-A Norfolk in 2013, striking out 82 batters over 76 1/3 innings while allowing 81 hits. Left-handed hitters batted .250 against him, compared with a .299 average for righties.

Belfiore joins a Mud Hens bullpen that was already slated to include left-handers Blaine Hardy, Casey Crosby, Nate Robertson and Kenny Faulk. Toledo's rotation includes lefties Kyle Lobstein, Duane Below and Robbie Ray. Detroit's bullpen could feature three lefties for the next week or two if the Tigers use their coming off-days to feature a four-man rotation, sending Drew Smyly to the bullpen to join Phil Coke and Ian Krol.