Recovering from Tommy John surgery, the towering right-hander returns to Detroit’s system with a dominant four-pitch arsenal and refined command, offering high-upside depth for the 2027 bullpen.

RJ Petit, a 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher, has been sent back to the Tigers by way of Rule 5 draft rules.

The Detroit Tigers are bringing back 6-foot-8 pitcher RJ Petit from the Rockies after Tommy John surgery. He will not occupy a 40-man roster spot.

Colorado Rockies reliever RJ Petit has a sprained UCL ligament in his right elbow, sidelining him indefinitely. The 26-year-old Petit was taken by the Tigers in the 14th round of the 2021 amateur draft and went 10-2 with a 2.44 ERA in two starts and 45 relief appearances last season for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.

With the first overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft, the Rockies just added a potential diamond in the rough to their bullpen.

Colorado selected right-hander RJ Petit from Detroit on Wednesday with the first of 13 picks in the Rule 5 draft of unprotected players left off 40-man major league rosters. Now 26, Petit was taken by the Tigers in the 14th round of the 2021 amateur draft and was 10-2 with a 2.44 ERA in two starts and 45 relief appearances this year for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. Petit is 21-15 with a 3.40 ERA and 14 saves in five starts and 182 relief appearances over five minor league seasons.

Big news for Colorado.