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Detroit Tigers add RHP Geoff Hartlieb, cut Carlos Hernández after experiment is no-go
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- Detroit Tigers add RHP Geoff Hartlieb, cut Carlos Hernández after experiment is no-go
The Detroit Tigers swapped one veteran reliever for another.
Right-hander Geoff Hartlieb has been selected by the Tigers from Triple-A Toledo, joining the 26-man and 40-man rosters before the series opener Thursday, July 24, against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park.
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The 31-year-old has six years of MLB experience, spanning a total of 80⅔ innings with five teams. He signed a minor league contract with the Tigers just 12 days ago.
"He's touched the big leagues," manager A.J. Hinch said before Thursday's game. "It feels like forever. He hasn't quite settled in completely, but we know he's going to come in and be a reliable strike-thrower and hopefully get outs."
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New York Yankees relief pitcher Geoff Hartlieb throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto, July 1, 2025.
To create space for Hartlieb, the Tigers designated right-handed reliever Carlos Hernández for assignment.
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He lasted 38 days with the Tigers.
Hernández, whom the Tigers claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies in mid-June , registered a 10.13 ERA with six walks and 13 strikeouts across 10⅔ innings in 11 games before the Tigers cut ties with him.
"I think we were on the right track with what he was doing, but it wasn't working as consistently as we wanted," Hinch said. "It just wasn't the right fit at the right time. For us, right now, where we're at, we felt like a change was needed."
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The newcomer doesn't appear to be a significant upgrade.
Hartlieb has a 7.92 ERA with 59 walks and 80 strikeouts across 80⅔ innings in 66 games in his MLB career. He has allowed 16 earned runs in 14⅓ innings over the past three seasons with the Miami Marlins (2023), Colorado Rockies (2024) and New York Yankees (2025).
Before those stops, Hartlieb pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2019-21) and New York Mets (2021).
"We just got him, so we don't necessarily know him tremendously well," Hinch said. "From the other side, he's fit that role of a multi-inning reliever. Can extend out, will be a strike-thrower, can mix his pitches. We wanted a right-handed pitcher, specifically coming into this series."
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For the Blue Jays, superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. entered Thursday hitting .270 with a .789 OPS against right-handed pitchers, compared to .333 with a .978 OPS against left-handed pitchers.
That's one reason why the Tigers added Hartlieb to join the bullpen.
He throws three pitches: four-seam fastball, sinker and slider.
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In 2025, his fastball has averaged 95 mph, and his slider has generated a 31.3% whiff rate, but he has allowed six runs in 1⅓ innings. As a Tiger, the slider will be an important pitch for him.
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"Giving somebody a different look and challenging the strike zone is the biggest key," Hinch said. "Efficiency matters, strike-throwing matters. If you're going to throw that many strikes, you're going to need something to pop that the hitters struggle with, and we knew it was his slider."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers call up Geoff Hartlieb to bullpen, cut Carlos Hernandez
