Tigers land pitching depth in trade with Brewers

The Detroit Tigers strengthened their pitching reserves on Wednesday, securing 32-year-old right-hander Jacob Waguespack from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later. The veteran is slated to report to Triple-A Toledo.

Waguespack arrives on a minor-league contract, meaning the Tigers aren’t required to clear a 40-man roster spot for him, a convenient arrangement for a team currently dealing with nine pitchers on the major league injured list. With Tarik Skubal, Justin Verlander, Casey Mize, and Kenley Jansen all nearing returns, Detroit faces significant roster maneuvering in the days ahead, and Waguespack offers insurance without complicating that process. One caveat: if his deal contains an opt-out or upward mobility clause forcing a 40-man addition, he would need to join the active roster since he’s out of minor-league options.

The righty’s 2026 numbers at Triple-A Nashville were impressive, as he compiled a 1.66 ERA across 21 2/3 innings in 16 outings, striking out 33 batters against 15 walks. His 36.3% strikeout rate stands out, though his 16.5% walk rate is concerning, and he benefited from a .238 batting average on balls in play along with a 73.2% strand rate. His path this season was unusual. Milwaukee released him from his original minor-league pact in early May, then re-signed him around a week later.

Waguespack hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2024, when he recorded a 5.41 ERA in four games with the Tampa Bay Rays. His big-league resume includes 31 appearances and 105 2/3 innings with Tampa Bay and the Toronto Blue Jays, producing a 5.11 ERA and 1.543 WHIP, with an 18.9% strikeout rate and a 10.1% walk rate. He debuted as a rookie with Toronto in 2019, logging a 4.38 ERA in 16 games, and added 11 more outings in 2020. He also pitched two seasons in Japan, and in 2025 finished with a 2.45 ERA over 25 Triple-A games in the Philadelphia Phillies and Rays organizations without earning a promotion.

Originally an undrafted free agent signed by Philadelphia out of Ole Miss in 2015, Waguespack has made 208 minor-league appearances. He joins a Tigers bullpen that ranks 16th with a 4.19 ERA.

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