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Detroit Tigers trade targets to fix bullpen problem at All-Star break
On “Days of Roar” podcast, Evan Petzold evaluates relief pitching for Detroit Tigers at MLB All-Star break — and the big need to win the World Series.
ARLINGTON, TX — The Detroit Tigers signed right-handed reliever Geoff Hartlieb to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Toledo.
He already pitched in his first game for the Mud Hens, making his debut Sunday, July 13 — just one day after signing. He retired four batters across 1⅓ innings, striking out two and throwing 11 of 17 pitches for strikes.
Hartlieb has logged in 80⅔ innings over 66 relief appearances in parts of six MLB seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2019-21), New York Mets (2021), Miami Marlins (2023), Colorado Rockies (2024) and New York Yankees (2025).
In his MLB career, Hartlieb owns a 7.92 ERA with 59 walks and 80 strikeouts.
He throws three pitches: four-seam fastball, sinker and slider.
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Over the past three seasons, Hartlieb has a 10.05 ERA with 11 walks and 14 strikeouts in 14⅓ innings with the Marlins, Rockies and Yankees. In 2025, his fastball averaged 95 mph, and his slider generated a 31.3% whiff rate.
The Yankees designated Hartlieb for assignment July 9 — his second DFA of the month — a day after he allowed three runs while getting just one out in his second appearance of the season. He elected free agency July 11, then signed with the Tigers on July 12.
Hartlieb has spent most of his professional career at the Triple-A level, where he owns a 4.15 ERA, 9.6% walk rate and 25% strikeout rate across 262⅓ innings.
But Hartlieb has shown improved command and effectiveness in 2025, posting a 3.22 ERA with a 6.7% walk rate and 26.8% strikeout rate over 36⅓ innings between Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees) and Triple-A Toledo (Tigers).
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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