The Detroit Tigers are expected to activate reliever Joakim Soria before today’s game against the Kansas City Royals. Soria was a trade deadline pickup for the Tigers from the Texas Rangers, where he was fantastic, posting a WHIP of 0.870 in his 33.1 innings pitched over 35 games. However, he was injured after just six appearances for Detroit, straining his elbow on August 9.
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Soria cost the Tigers two young pitchers in Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson, and Detroit hasn’t gotten much of a return on the trade yet. However, the back-end of the Tigers bullpen remains shaky, even with Joe Nathan and Joba Chamberlain. Soria’s return could be a huge boon to the Tigers reclaiming the AL Central.
Soria has closing experience, mostly with the Royals from 2007 until 2011. He returned from Tommy John surgery in 2013 with the Rangers and performed well, with a 3.80 ERA in 26 appearances. Soria was the closer for the Rangers and notched 17 saves before being dealt to Detroit.
Michigan has had some rain tonight, and it’s unclear if the Tigers and Royals will be able to play tonight, which might factor into the decision when to activate Soria. The Tigers likely do not want to make a move only to have the game rained out.