DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers optioned relief pitcher Joe Jimenez to Triple-A Toledo after his MLB debut Thursday against the Twins.
Jimenez made his much-anticipated debut in the ninth inning Thursday against the bottom of the Twins' lineup. He pitched a scoreless inning, retiring Chris Gimenez on a fly ball to left field, Eddie Rosario on a popup to shortstop and Byron Buxton with his first career strikeout.
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Following today's game, the Tigers optioned RHP Joe Jiménez to triple-A Toledo and purchased the contract of RHP William Cuevas from Toledo.
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) April 13, 2017
He got through the scoreless inning in just 13 pitches, nine of which were strikes. But it wasn't enough to keep the young reliever on the roster ahead of the team's weekend series against the Indians.
The Tigers called up pitcher William Cuevas, who can pitch in long relief out of the bullpen.
Jimenez was called up Sunday amid another shaky start for the Tigers' bullpen. A cast of relief pitchers that has been much maligned over the last decade struggled against the White Sox and Red Sox the first five games of the season.
Jimenez took the place of Bruce Rondon, who was sent down after blowing a late lead Sunday against the Red Sox. Rondon was tabbed as the Tigers' eighth-inning pitcher after spring training, and Brad Ausmus gave him three opportunities in the first week. After a scoreless inning in Chicago, Rondon gave up three runs in both appearances against the Red Sox, getting a total of one out.
Jimenez is the Tigers' No. 5 overall prospect after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2013. His calling card is an electric fastball that sits in the upper 90s and tops out around 98 mph. He also throws a good slider that generated plenty of swings and misses in the minor leagues.
The change-up is a work in progress, but Jimenez is only 22, and it appears that the pitch has a chance to be a third weapon in his arsenal. That will be a major factor as the rookie looks for a way to dominate left-handed hitters.
Control hasn't been a problem for Jimenez in his professional career, even as a power pitcher. If he can stay away from walks, he should be an effective reliever for the Tigers right away.