Ricky Vanasco, a right-handed reliever and former Los Angeles Dodger, has re-signed with the Detroit Tigers on a minor-league deal, ensuring his continued development with the AL squad. The 26-year-old pitcher, who was initially traded from the Dodgers to the Tigers for cash considerations before the July 30 trade deadline, will earn $925,000 if he secures a spot on Detroit’s major-league roster.
Despite limited MLB experience, with just four appearances (two for the Dodgers and two for the Tigers), Vanasco’s potential remains a key focus for Detroit. After non-tendering him days ago to avoid waiver exposure, the Tigers quickly moved to bring him back under a new agreement, reflecting their commitment to refining his skills.
In 2024, Vanasco showcased a fastball averaging 94.7 mph and adapted his pitch repertoire under Detroit’s guidance, replacing his curveball with a slider and cutter. He credits these changes for his progress, stating, “It was cool messing around with those grips… It was a lot of fun learning that down there.”
Having spent most of 2024 in Triple-A, Vanasco now looks ahead to spring training with the Tigers, where he’ll aim to secure his place on the big-league roster and make his mark as a key contributor to Detroit’s bullpen.
