Detroit Tigers keep Freddy Pacheco on minors deal as reliever continues Tommy John rehab
The Detroit Tigers always planned to retain Freddy Pacheco.
Pacheco, a right-handed reliever with remarkable upside, has re-signed with the Tigers on a minor-league contract. The 25-year-old will be around for spring training at the complex in Lakeland, Florida, but only as a pitcher rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
The transaction hasn't officially processed yet, but the Tigers and Pacheco agreed to a minor-league contract at some point last week, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the agreement. He is scheduled to be in his rehab program throughout the spring and into the summer.
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Pacheco underwent Tommy John surgery at the beginning of June 2023 to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He probably won't pitch in games until July 2024 at the earliest, but it's too soon to put a timetable on his return.
He is currently playing catch three times per week at 60 feet.
Pacheco hasn't been healthy since the 2022 season when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals. He posted a 3.05 ERA with 28 walks and 84 strikeouts across 62 innings in 50 relief appearances for Double-A Springfield (24 games) and Triple-A Memphis (26 games).
He relied on a 96.5 mph four-seam fastball and an 84.4 mph slider. His fastball had a 26.5% whiff rate and his slider had a 54.6% whiff rate in the 2022 campaign.
His fastball maxed out at 99.4 mph.
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Freddy Pacheco showing off the 98 and 99 MPH fastball up in the zone to get the strikeout. pic.twitter.com/wnE7aR2Ohd
— Kyle Reis, 58% Neanderthal (@kyler416) July 13, 2022
Another strikeout for Freddy Pacheco. Slider then fastball this time pic.twitter.com/iinGuKYAPv
— Kyle Reis, 58% Neanderthal (@kyler416) August 17, 2022
The Tigers claimed Pacheco off waivers from the Cardinals in March 2023 during spring training. But the Tigers removed Pacheco from the 40-man roster in mid-November to protect one of two prospects from the Rule 5 draft. He was designated for assignment Nov. 14 and non-tendered Nov. 17, becoming a minor-league free agent.
Cutting Pacheco — a pitcher rehabbing from elbow surgery — created space on the 40-man roster for offseason transactions. It wasn't a risk because the Tigers knew they would be able to bring him back on a minor-league contract.
The Tigers are monitoring his rehab activity this offseason.
Pacheco could be a dominant reliever for the Tigers in the future if he returns to full health and previous form. He already has plenty of Triple-A experience, so when he gets healthy, it shouldn't be long before he breaks through in the big leagues.
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Another injury update
Right-hander Garrett Hill has right hip discomfort. He was removed from the 40-man roster Nov. 17 but signed a minor-league contract Nov. 21 to stay in the organization.
The 27-year-old, who hopes to avoid surgery, is receiving physical therapy weekly for his hip and increasing his throwing volume in preparation for spring training.
In 2023, Hill logged a 9.19 ERA with 14 walks and 14 strikeouts over 15⅔ innings in nine relief appearances with the Tigers. He also had a 6.66 ERA over 51⅓ innings in 28 games with Low-A Lakeland (two games) and Triple-A Toledo (26 games). He missed time in July and August while on the injured list.
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 to keep injured reliever Freddy Pacheco on minors deal
