Alex

Faedo

The deal is now official. Faedo grew up in the Tampa Bay area and gets to head home after losing his spot last week on Detroit’s overcrowded 40-man roster. The 29-year-old former top pitching prospect represents a worthwhile gamble for the Rays as a low-leverage relief specialist after he posted a serviceable 3.61 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 55/28 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings (37 appearances, six starts) last year for the Tigers.

This is yet another buy-low move by the Rays to acquire Faedo, who was designated by assignment by the Tigers last week. Faedo was the 18th pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, and Baseball America ranked him as the 50th overall prospect heading into the 2018 season. In his MLB career, Faedo has pitched to a 4.51 ERA in 175 2/3 innings with a 20.9 percent strikeout rate. The Tigers moved Faedo to a full-time relief role last season; however, he possesses an elite slider that could be a tremendous pitch for him if the Rays can figure out the rest of his arsenal. It’s unlikely that change will happen in 2025, but we wouldn’t rule it out in the future.

Faedo, who is out of minor-league options entering spring training, loses his spot on Detroit’s 40-man roster following the addition of veteran reliever Tommy Kahnle. The 29-year-old former first-round selection excelled last year upon transitioning to a full-time relief role, posting a respectable 3.61 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 55/28 K/BB ratio across 57 1/3 innings (37 appearances, six starts). He should attract some interest on waivers in the coming days.

The 28-year-old hurler unexpectedly landed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain after returning from the paternity list earlier in the week and now it appears that the injury is a bit more serious. Faedo will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season.

Faedo was away from the team for three days while adding to his family, but now will be out for at least another week with the shoulder issue. It wouldn’t be a big surprise if Faedo’s season was over, but there should be a timetable on his return in the coming days.

With Alex Faedo on the Paternity List, Guenther will be called up to give the Tigers a fresh arm in the bullpen. The 28-year-old has allowed one run in 1/13 innings with the Tigers this season and has a 3.31 ERA in 51 2/3 innings at Triple-A.

Congrats to Faedo and his growing family. The right-hander will miss the next three games, but he also threw 35 pitches out of the bullpen on Tuesday and may not have pitched during those games regardless. Sean Guenther was called up from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move.

There isn’t much streaming appeal here as Faedo is unlikely to face more than a handful of batters, but he’s pitched well this season in a versatile relief role, compiling a strong 3.72 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 54/27 K/BB ratio across 55 2/3 innings (36 appearances, five starts).

Faedo hasn’t pitched since last Sunday, so he might actually be able to give the Tigers some length on Saturday afternoon against the Giants as they continue to mix-and-match to cover innings down the home stretch.

It’ll be a bullpen game for the Tigers on Saturday afternoon with Faedo taking the ball for at least a couple frames at the outset. The 28-year-old former top pitching prospect has excelled this season as a full-time reliever, compiling a solid 3.35 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 33/15 K/BB ratio across 37 2/3 innings (23 appearances).