MLB notes: Tigers add Joakim Soria, bolstering shaky bullpen
The Detroit Tigers had seen enough from their shaky bullpen to know something had to be done. So the A.L. Central leaders acquired right-hander Joakim Soria.
“Obviously, I’m excited to have Joakim on the team,” manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday. “Anytime you can get help of his caliber, especially at the back end of the bullpen, I don’t think there would be a manager who wouldn’t be excited about it.”
Detroit dealt pitching prospects Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson to the Texas Rangers to get the 30-year-old Soria late Wednesday night.
“We gave up a lot, guys that we valued,” Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers’ general manager said. “But it was a necessity.”
The Tigers have been working on improving their bullpen for weeks because closer Joe Nathan has been inconsistent and Joel Hanrahan apparently will not be able to pitch this year. Setup man Joba Chamberlain has been their only reliable reliever.
Soria was 1-3 with a 2.70 ERA, saving 17 games in 19 chances this year with the Rangers. He is 15-18 with a 2.51 and 177 saves in 199 chances over five years with the Kansas City Royals and two in Texas.
Ausmus said that Nathan, a six-time All-Star, will remain as the closer with Soria starting out as the seventh-inning reliever and Chamberlain staying in his current setup role.
Soria sounded as if he will be happy with whatever role the Tigers give him.
“This is a good feeling,” the Mexican-born Soria said. “I’m willing to do whatever they want me to do. … My goal is to win the World Series.”
The Rangers signed Soria to an $8 million, two-year contract before last season as he was recovering from his second Tommy John surgery.
Knoblauch charged; Twins scrap Hall day
Chuck Knoblauch has been charged with assaulting his wife, and as a result will not be inducted into the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame on Aug. 23.
The Twins issued this statement: In light of recent news reports surrounding Chuck Knoblauch, as well as direct communication with the former Twins second baseman, the Minnesota Twins have decided to cancel the team’s 2014 Hall of Fame induction ceremony scheduled for August 23 at Target Field.
Knoblauch, the 1991 American League rookie of the year with the Twins, was arrested in a Houston suburb on Wednesday after an early-morning call to the police. He was charged with misdemeanor assault on a family member, and was released on bond.
Clearing the bases
The Yankees acquired LHP Chris Capuano from the Rockies for cash. Capuano, 35, started the season with Boston, making 28 relief appearances before being cut on July 1. … The White Sox placed RHP Zach Putnam on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. RHP Andre Rienzo was recalled to take Putnam’s place on the roster. … The Royals traded INF/OF Jimmy Paredes to the Orioles in exchange for cash.