SPORTS

20 Tigers relievers you forgot about

It hasn't been easy for Tigers manager Brad Ausmus when it comes to maneuvering the Tigers bullpen.Not that it's all his fault. He hasn't had much to work with, nor did Jim Leyland, as the bullpen has been mostly awful since the start of the 2006 season. Just for kicks, here are 20 Tigers relievers you might've forgotten about.
It hasn't been easy for Tigers manager Brad Ausmus when it comes to maneuvering the Tigers bullpen.Not that it's all his fault. He hasn't had much to work with, nor did Jim Leyland, as the bullpen has been mostly awful since the start of the 2006 season. Just for kicks, here are 20 Tigers relievers you might've forgotten about.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
BOBBY SEAY, 2006-09: He actually was pretty effective most of his Tigers tenure, especially in 2007 (2.33 ERA). In 2008 and '09, he made 127 total appearances.
BOBBY SEAY, 2006-09: He actually was pretty effective most of his Tigers tenure, especially in 2007 (2.33 ERA). In 2008 and '09, he made 127 total appearances.
David Guralnick, Detroit News
YORMAN BAZARDO, 2007-08: He made just 14 appearances over his two seasons, and just three in his last year, posting a 24.00 ERA in 2008.
YORMAN BAZARDO, 2007-08: He made just 14 appearances over his two seasons, and just three in his last year, posting a 24.00 ERA in 2008.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
JOSE CAPELLAN, 2007: He made just 10 appearances for the Tigers after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers. Tragically, he died in 2014 from an apparent heart attack. He was 34.
JOSE CAPELLAN, 2007: He made just 10 appearances for the Tigers after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers. Tragically, he died in 2014 from an apparent heart attack. He was 34.
Associated Press
MACAY MCBRIDE, 2007: He came over in a trade from the Braves for Wil Ledezma, and had a 6.11 ERA over 20 appearances.
MACAY MCBRIDE, 2007: He came over in a trade from the Braves for Wil Ledezma, and had a 6.11 ERA over 20 appearances.
John T. Greilick, Detroit News
JOSE MESA, 2007: The Tigers gave the 40-year-old veteran a $2.5-million deal, and he was a total flop, with a 12.34 ERA in 16 games before he was released in early June.
JOSE MESA, 2007: The Tigers gave the 40-year-old veteran a $2.5-million deal, and he was a total flop, with a 12.34 ERA in 16 games before he was released in early June.
Gary Malerba, Special To Detroit News
FRANCISCO CRUCETA, 2008: He was mostly known for visa issues which delayed his arrival to spring training that year. In 13 games, he had a 5.40 ERA.
FRANCISCO CRUCETA, 2008: He was mostly known for visa issues which delayed his arrival to spring training that year. In 13 games, he had a 5.40 ERA.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
GARY GLOVER, 2008: This was the last stop in his eight-year, six-team career. He signed as a free agent in August and saw action in 18 games, posting a 4.43 ERA.
GARY GLOVER, 2008: This was the last stop in his eight-year, six-team career. He signed as a free agent in August and saw action in 18 games, posting a 4.43 ERA.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
JUAN RINCON, 2009: The veteran, who had some nice years with the Twins, signed in late January of this year, and only made seven appearances for Detroit (5.23 ERA) before he was cut in May.
JUAN RINCON, 2009: The veteran, who had some nice years with the Twins, signed in late January of this year, and only made seven appearances for Detroit (5.23 ERA) before he was cut in May.
John T. Greilick, Detroit News
ALFREDO FIGARO, 2009-10: He's mostly remembered for starting a pivotal game late in the 2009 season, a key loss to the White Sox. In 2010, he was brutal in eight relief appearances before he was released the following winter.
ALFREDO FIGARO, 2009-10: He's mostly remembered for starting a pivotal game late in the 2009 season, a key loss to the White Sox. In 2010, he was brutal in eight relief appearances before he was released the following winter.
John T. Greilick, Detroit News
ENRIQUE GONZALEZ, 2010-11: He was OK over 18 appearances his first year as a Tiger, but got shellacked in eight games in 2011 (10.00 ERA). And that was that.
ENRIQUE GONZALEZ, 2010-11: He was OK over 18 appearances his first year as a Tiger, but got shellacked in eight games in 2011 (10.00 ERA). And that was that.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
JAY SBORZ, 2010: Sborz, on the right, made just one major-league appearance, and it didn't go well. He allowed five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning, for a career ERA of 67.50.
JAY SBORZ, 2010: Sborz, on the right, made just one major-league appearance, and it didn't go well. He allowed five earned runs in two-thirds of an inning, for a career ERA of 67.50.
John T. Greilick, Detroit News
COLLIN BALESTER, 2012: He come over in a trade from the Nationals after the Tigers finally gave up on Ryan Perry, and he posted a 6.50 ERA in 11 appearances.
COLLIN BALESTER, 2012: He come over in a trade from the Nationals after the Tigers finally gave up on Ryan Perry, and he posted a 6.50 ERA in 11 appearances.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
DARIN DOWNS, 2012-13: Once a prized Rays prospect, his career was derailed when he took a ball to the head. He finally got to The Show with the Tigers, and was actually pretty good his first year. The second year, not so much.
DARIN DOWNS, 2012-13: Once a prized Rays prospect, his career was derailed when he took a ball to the head. He finally got to The Show with the Tigers, and was actually pretty good his first year. The second year, not so much.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
EVAN REED, 2013-14: He had a blazing fastball that touched upper 90s, but couldn't put it together in the games. In 48 outings over two years, he had a WHIP over 1.500, and his Tigers career came to a halt when he was accused of sexual assault. He plead no contest and received probation.
EVAN REED, 2013-14: He had a blazing fastball that touched upper 90s, but couldn't put it together in the games. In 48 outings over two years, he had a WHIP over 1.500, and his Tigers career came to a halt when he was accused of sexual assault. He plead no contest and received probation.
Elizabeth Conley, Detroit News
JIM JOHNSON, 2014: Once an All-Star closer with the Orioles, he absolutely imploded early in 2014 with the A's and was cut. The Tigers gave him a second look, which wasn't much better (6.92 ERA in 16 games). He since has righted the ship, with the Braves.
JIM JOHNSON, 2014: Once an All-Star closer with the Orioles, he absolutely imploded early in 2014 with the A's and was cut. The Tigers gave him a second look, which wasn't much better (6.92 ERA in 16 games). He since has righted the ship, with the Braves.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
PAT MCCOY, 2014: He saw action in 14 games -- his only stint in the major leagues -- and allowed 21 hits and 13 walks for an unsightly WHIP of 2.429.
PAT MCCOY, 2014: He saw action in 14 games -- his only stint in the major leagues -- and allowed 21 hits and 13 walks for an unsightly WHIP of 2.429.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
GUIDO KNUDSON, 2015: A 28th-round pick by the Tigers in 2011, he got his cup of coffee in 2015 -- allowing five home runs and 10 earned runs in five innings. He hasn't made it back since. Go figure.
GUIDO KNUDSON, 2015: A 28th-round pick by the Tigers in 2011, he got his cup of coffee in 2015 -- allowing five home runs and 10 earned runs in five innings. He hasn't made it back since. Go figure.
Elizabeth Conley, Detroit News
LOGAN KENSING, 2016: The journeyman got a look from the Tigers last April, and that was enough, as he allowed eight hits and two walks in 4.2 innings.
LOGAN KENSING, 2016: The journeyman got a look from the Tigers last April, and that was enough, as he allowed eight hits and two walks in 4.2 innings.
Mike Stobe, Getty Images
BOBBY PARNELL, 2016: The one-time closer with the Mets made a comeback bid last season, and the Tigers gave him his shot, albeit a brief one -- in 5.1 innings, he posted a 6.75 ERA.
BOBBY PARNELL, 2016: The one-time closer with the Mets made a comeback bid last season, and the Tigers gave him his shot, albeit a brief one -- in 5.1 innings, he posted a 6.75 ERA.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
WILLIAM CUEVAS, 2017: This was just this year, and you still might not remember him. He pitched one-third of an inning back on April 14, and allowed four runs for an ERA of 108.00. He has since cleared waivers and departed as a free agent.
WILLIAM CUEVAS, 2017: This was just this year, and you still might not remember him. He pitched one-third of an inning back on April 14, and allowed four runs for an ERA of 108.00. He has since cleared waivers and departed as a free agent.
Mike Stobe, Getty Images