Mariners Claim Troy Watson

The Mariners have claimed right-hander Troy Watson off waivers from the Tigers. Watson fills the empty spot on Seattle’s 40-man roster. He has been assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

Watson, 29, was a late-round draft pick by the Blue Jays in 2018. Toronto sent him to Detroit for cash considerations during the 2024 campaign, and he re-upped with the Tigers on minor league contracts in each of the next two offseasons. The righty struggled in his first year with the Tigers organization, but he has pitched well in the minors over the last two seasons. In 170 innings from 2025-26 (mostly at Double and Triple-A), he owns a 2.81 ERA and 4.21 FIP.

This past July, the Tigers selected Watson to their 40-man roster, although they kept him at Triple-A Toledo. He was reportedly generating interest from a team overseas, and according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Watson had “language in his contract” that would have given him the right to sign with a team in NBP or the KBO unless he was on the 40-man. Evidently, Detroit wasn’t prepared to let him go. The Tigers selected his contract and started having him work in relief, perhaps in hopes he could join the big league bullpen. However, just a few weeks later, they designated him for assignment to free up a roster spot for Corey Julks.

Watson will now serve as starting/long-relief depth for the Mariners. He has two option years remaining after this season.