The Tigers announced Wednesday they activated veteran outfielder Manuel Margot from the injured list and outrighted him to Triple-A Toledo. He had cleared waivers earlier this week. Detroit also placed pitcher Kenta Maeda on unconditional release waivers after designating him for assignment last week. He becomes a free agent once he clears waivers.
Margot accepted the assignment to Triple-A Toledo. He had the right to reject the outright move in favor of free agency, as he has over three years of service time. Margot joins outfield depth including Akil Baddoo, Brewer Hicklen, Jahmai Jones, and Ryan Kreidler in Toledo.
Maeda's release was anticipated. Teams typically have five days after a designation for assignment to attempt a trade. Maeda would have been able to decline an outright assignment without forfeiting salary, leading to the release decision. Any team claiming Maeda off waivers would assume the remainder of his $10MM salary.
If Maeda signs with a new club, that team would be responsible for the prorated league minimum portion of the salary ($760K) for his time on the major league roster. The Detroit team will pay the remainder of his guaranteed salary.
Margot signed a split contract before Opening Day to bolster outfield depth when players like Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling, and Wenceel Pérez were injured. Margot started five games before a left knee inflammation sent him to the injured list on April 8.
Instead of bringing Margot back to the major league roster and potentially optioning a younger player like Justyn-Henry Malloy or Jace Jung, the team opted to stick with their current group. Players like Javier Báez have moved to center field, and Zach McKinstry rotates between third base and the outfield corners. Kerry Carpenter plays right field, and Riley Greene is in left field.
Margot's removal from the 40-man roster drops the team's count to 38 players. Outfielders Meadows and Pérez remain on the 60-day injured list and do not count against the 40-man roster.
MLBTR: Tigers Outright Manuel Margot, Release Kenta MaedaMLive: Tigers outfielder reinstated from injured list, outrighted to Toledo((Source))
