Don Kelly, the utility player who was designed for assignment by the Tigers last week, has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Mud Hens Friday.
Tigers officials indicate that Kelly has accepted the assignment to Toledo. The hope is that he will join the Mud Hens when they begin a series at Fifth Third Field Friday against Durham.
Because of his veteran status, Kelly had the right to reject the assignment to Toledo and become a free agent.
Kelly was designated for assignment Aug. 3 when the club reinstated Andy Dirks from the disabled list. Kelly was removed from Detroit's 40-man roster; to return to the Tigers when rosters expand on Sept. 1, Detroit would need to add Kelly to the 40-man roster.
Kelly hit .175 in 64 games with the Tigers this season, collecting one home run and seven RBIs. He spent all of the previous two seasons with Detroit, hitting .244 in 119 games in 2010 and .245 in 113 games last season. Kelly also played in 25 games for Pittsburgh in 2007.
The 32-year-old's trademark is his versatility. Last year, for example, he played in all three outfield positions for Detroit while also seeing time at first base and third base as well as seeing emergency duty as a pitcher and as a catcher.
Kelly has spent all or part of three different seasons with Toledo. He split time between the Hens and Double-A Erie in 2005-06. In 2005 he played in 43 games here, batting .250 a home run and 13 RBIs. The following season he hit .228 with 19 RBIs in 66 games with the Hens.
He returned to Toledo in 2009 and hit .331 in 105 games, finishing second in the International League batting race. Kelly also had six home runs, 40 RBIs and 27 stolen bases and was named to the IL's post-season All-Star team.
UPDATE: My understanding is that Jamie Johnson will be sent back to Double-A Erie to make room for Kelly on the Mud Hens roster.
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