2026 Transactions: Tigers Claim Diaz, Fairchild & SWR DFA’d

More smaller moves were made on June 26. Detroit added another bullpen depth option with Yilber Diaz, who was claimed off waivers from the Diamondbacks. And, Simeon Woods Richardson is likely headed for a new home.

Tigers claim ex-Diamondback pitcher

The Tigers claimed former Diamondback Yilber Diaz from Arizona. Diaz was DFA’d by the D-Backs earlier this week.

Diaz is a three-pitch pitcher, with a curveball, slider, and hard fastball that he ran up to 100 MPH in Triple-A Reno this season. He first made his MLB debut in 2024 and didn’t pitch badly, as he sported a sub-4.00 ERA over 28 innings.

Command did him in 2025, which cemented his likely home in the bullpen. Diaz made one outing in the Majors this season, one that saw him give up seven earned runs over 0.2 IP against the Twins earlier this month.

Players designated for assignment

The Blue Jays designated Simeon Woods Richardson for assignment. It’s the second time for him this year, as the Twins did so earlier this season. He wound up tossing 10 scoreless innings in a bulk relief role with Toronto.

Stuart Fairchild (Guardians) and Wilkin Ramos (Giants) were also designated for assignment.

Recalls & options

Mitch Spence (Royals), Zach McCambley (Reds), Tsung-Che Cheng (Red Sox), Graham Pauley (Marlins), Adam Macko (Blue Jays), Zach Thornton (Mets), David Sandlin (White Sox), Zak Kent (Nationals), and Hurston Waldrep (Braves) were recalled from the Minors.

Daniel Duarte (Mets), J.C. Escarra (Mets), Gus Varland (Nationals), Jack Brannigan (Pirates), and ML Melendez (Mets) were optioned to the Minors.

Other notes

San Francisco selected the contract of catcher Drew Cavanaugh from Triple-A Sacramento.

The Diamondbacks released Carlos Santana, who was DFA’d earlier this week by Arizona.

Braves pitcher Carlos Carrasco was sent outright to Triple-A. Minnesota did the same with pitcher Austin Voth.