The Tigers signed reliever Burch Smith to a minor league contract, reports Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free-Press. The righty receives an invitation to MLB camp and will be guaranteed a $1.5MM base salary if he makes the big league roster.
Smith, 36 in April, has played for seven big league clubs over a 15-year career that has taken him around the globe. Smith has pitched in Japan and Korea in addition to seven seasons at the Triple-A level. He has gotten to the majors in parts of six campaigns, working to a 5.79 ERA through 247 1/3 career innings.
The Oklahoma product’s most recent MLB action came in 2024. He divided that season evenly between the Marlins and Orioles, allowing just under five earned runs per nine over 56 1/3 frames. He spent last year on a minor league contract with the Pirates. Working for their Triple-A club in Indianapolis, Smith was tagged for a 7.08 ERA in 19 outings. He struck out nearly 27% of batters faced against an elevated 12.2% walk rate. The Pirates released him at the end of July.
Smith remained unsigned for the rest of the ’25 season. He has made a comeback in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, recording a 20:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio with three runs allowed in 15 1/3 innings. The Tigers add him to a deep collection of non-roster bullpen arms. Tanner Rainey, Sean Guenther, Scott Effross, Dugan Darnell, Jack Little, Tyler Mattison and Cole Waites have also signed minor league deals.