Tigers bring back RP Joel Hanrahan on one-year deal

Rehabbing reliever didn't pitch in 2014

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have signed relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan to a one-year, $1 million contract for the 2015 season.

Hanrahan was signed by the Tigers midway through 2014 while rehabbing from Tommy John elbow surgery, but never reached the mound due to setbacks in the recovery.

USA Today is reporting that the former All-Star's newest contract includes $2.5 million in potential incentives.

Before the injury sidelined him in 2013, Hanrahan was one of the most explosive closers in baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He posted a 2.73 ERA en route to 228 strikeouts and 82 saves from 2010-2012.

If he returns to his previous form, Hanrahan will join Joakim Soria as potential candidates to battle Joe Nathan for the closer's role in Detroit.

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With this move, the Tigers' bullpen currently looks something like this heading into 2015:
RH Al Alburquerque
LH Blaine Hardy
RH Joe Nathan
RH Joakim Soria
RH Joel Hanrahan
LH Ian Krol
RH Luke Putkonen

This move is the third of the week for Dave Dombrowski, who resigned MVP runner up Victor Martinez to a four-year, $68 million deal and traded the team's top prospect, second baseman Devon Travis, to Toronto for outfielder Anthony Gose on Wednesday.