Alex Cobb talks about signing free-agent contract with Detroit Tigers
Right-hander Alex Cobb talks to reporters on Dec. 12, 2024, about signing with the Detroit Tigers for the 2025 season.
- The Detroit Tigers called up Dylan Smith, a 25-year-old pitcher, from Triple-A Toledo.
- Smith, a 2021 third-round draft pick, transitioned to the bullpen in 2025 after injuries impacted his previous two seasons.
- Injured pitcher Alex Cobb will begin a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two days ago, Dylan Smith celebrated his 25th birthday.
And now Smith is celebrating his first taste of the big leagues. The Detroit Tigers called him up from Triple-A Toledo on Friday, May 30, before their series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Smith’s first appearance will be his MLB debut
The right-hander, whom the Tigers selected No. 74 overall out of Alabama as their third-round pick in the 2021 draft, worked as a starting pitcher for the first three years of his professional career, with injuries shortening his 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
He transitioned to the bullpen in 2025.
Smith posted a 1.61 ERA with eight walks and 32 strikeouts across 22⅓ innings in 14 relief appearances for Double-A Erie (12 games) and Triple-A Toledo (two games). He primarily throws fastballs and sliders, but he also features a changeup and a curveball.
His Triple-A debut occurred May 23.
That day, Smith struck out all three batters — from the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates — in the final inning of the game: Jack Suwinski (swinging, 94.3 mph fastball), Matt Gorski (swinging, 83.7 mph slider) and Liover Peguero (swinging, 84.9 mph slider).
His fastball maxed out at 96.9 mph with the Mud Hens.
And his slider had a 75% whiff rate.
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Alex Cobb begins rehab assignment
Right-hander Alex Cobb — sidelined with a right hip injury — hasn’t pitched in a competitive game since signing a one-year, $15 million contract in December 2024, but that’s about to change. The 37-year-old will start Friday for High-A West Michigan, beginning a rehab assignment.
Cobb completed bullpen sessions in preparation for his rehab assignment — and he received many injections to treat inflammation in his right hip. His individual pitches were outstanding in bullpens, but he struggled to move his body, especially on plays where he had to cover first base.
He has pitched just 16⅓ innings over the past two seasons, all with the Cleveland Guardians last season. From 2022-23, he registered a 3.80 ERA with 282 strikeouts across 301 innings in 56 starts with the San Francisco Giants.
When healthy, Cobb has proven to be an effective pitcher.
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Ryan Cusick claimed off waivers
The Tigers claimed right-handed reliever Ryan Cusick off waivers from the Athletics. The 25-year-old was the No. 24 overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Cusick has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
He posted a 6.75 ERA with 13 walks and 11 strikeouts across 14⅔ innings in 13 relief appearances with Triple-A Las Vegas, an affiliate of the Athletics. He throws a four-seam fastball, slider and sinker, with his four-seamer averaging 95.4 mph and his slider generating a 33.3% whiff rate.
Cusick began his professional career with the Atlanta Braves, spending one season in their organization. In March 2022, he was shipped to the Athletics (with Cristian Pache, Shea Langeliers and Joey Estes) in the Matt Olson trade.
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