Detroit Tigers Cut Ties With 27-Year-Old Pitcher

The Detroit Tigers designated 27-year-old right-hander Ricky Vanasco for assignment on Monday, clearing a 40-man roster spot after signing veteran reliever Tyler Kinley.

The move came as Detroit added Kinley, who had been designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves earlier in the week. Kinley was available immediately for Monday night’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Comerica Park.

In a related transaction, the Tigers optioned right-hander Ty Madden to Triple-A Toledo.

Vanasco’s latest stint with the big-league club was brief and difficult. In five relief appearances this season he posted a 15.63 ERA and 3.16 WHIP over 6⅓ innings, allowing 14 hits, 12 runs (11 earned), two home runs and six walks while striking out four.

He was optioned back to Toledo on June 1 after those outings and had remained in the minors until the roster crunch created by Kinley’s arrival.

The contrast with his Triple-A work was stark. When Detroit selected Vanasco’s contract from Toledo on May 2—after placing Will Vest on the injured list—the right-hander had not allowed an earned run in 15 innings with the Mud Hens. He struck out 28 of 59 batters faced while walking only four. That dominance did not carry over to the majors.

Born Oct. 13, 1998, in Morriston, Florida, Vanasco was a 15th-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2017. He once ranked among the Rangers’ better pitching prospects after a strong 2019 season, but Tommy John surgery in 2020 and later injuries slowed his development.

The Dodgers acquired him in 2023 and he made his MLB debut with Los Angeles in 2024 before being traded to Detroit for cash considerations that July. He recorded his first career win in a September 2024 appearance for the Tigers.

Detroit previously designated Vanasco for assignment in November 2024, non-tendered him, then re-signed him to a minor-league deal. He was released and re-signed again in 2025. Across nine career big-league games (four in 2024, five in 2026) he owns a 12.19 ERA in 10⅓ innings.

Kinley, 35, posted a 4.01 ERA in 42⅔ innings with Atlanta this season. Manager A.J. Hinch cited the veteran’s slider and experience against right-handed hitters as reasons for the signing as the Tigers (61-70 entering the series) look to stabilize a bullpen that has been in flux.

Vanasco now has seven days for another club to claim him off waivers.

If he clears, Detroit can outright him to Toledo or he can elect free agency.

For a pitcher who has shown swing-and-miss stuff in the minors but has not yet translated it consistently at the major-league level, the next opportunity will likely come with another organization.