Tigers bring back Ledezma on Minors deal

TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tigers' ties with their 2003 team that lost an American League-record 119 games seemingly ended when Ramon Santiago and Jeremy Bonderman weren't re-signed, but they have been loosely renewed. Wil Ledezma, who pitched parts of five seasons in Detroit, signed a Minor League contract to pitch for Triple-A Toledo.

The deal does not include an invite to Major League camp. The 33-year-old left-hander is expected to serve as relief depth in the organization.

Ledezma was one of three Rule 5 Draft selections to make the Tigers' bullpen in 2003. He made eight starts in 2003 and 2004, made a brief run in the rotation in 2005, then served as a valuable swingman on the 2006 team that reached the World Series.

Detroit traded him to Atlanta the following summer in exchange for Macay McBride. Ledezma bounced around six Major League teams over the next five years, last pitching in the Majors with Toronto in 2011. He spent last season pitching in Japan with the Chiba Lotte Marines.