The Tigers have made two more roster moves Wednesday, calling up a pair of Mud Hens.
The first move was one I wrote about late last night: Detroit put C Alex Avila on the disabled list and promoted C Bryan Holaday from Toledo. Click here to read that story, as well as a scouting report on Holaday.
I am told that Holaday is starting behind the plate for the Tigers against Cleveland, which speaks to the problems that team is having with injured catchers.
Well, the Tigers also announced a second move on Wednesday, and it is tied to the first: Detroit promoted RHP Jose Ortega from Toledo and designated C Omir Santos for assignment to make room for him on the roster.
I'll explain why those two moves actually are tied to one another in just a moment. For now, I'm going to post a couple of links to recent scouting reports of Ortega's pitching. Click here to read about Ortega in his most-recent relief appearance, which came against Buffalo on Monday. And click here to read about his impressive outing against the Bisons Saturday.
So, why are these two moves tied to one another? The quick answer is that it is tied to spots on the Tigers' 40-man roster.
Holaday is not on the 40-man roster, so Detroit needs to open up a space on that roster for him. Ortega IS on the 40-man roster, so the Tigers don't need to make room on the 40-man for him. By designating Santos for assignment, they open up a spot on the 25-man roster for Ortega and open up a spot on the 40-man roster for Holaday.
Clear as mud, right?
Think of it this way ... for accountants, it make more sense to say Ortega replaces Avila (on the roster, obviously not at catcher) and Holaday takes the spots on the 25-man and 40-man roster originally filled by Santos.
And a quick downer for the Mud Hens: Santos will need to clear waivers and accept the demotion to return to Toledo. It won't happen automatically.
I know that the Mud Hens will add C Rob Brantly to the roster to replace Holaday. When I get to the ballpark, I will see if there is a replacement for Ortega.
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