Cole

Waites

All three are expected to begin the year with Triple-A Toledo. Mattison could be a high-leverage reliever for the Tigers at some point this season, but it won’t be on Opening Day.

Waites represents a low-risk dart throw for Detroit’s relief mix after spending most of the past two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery at the conclusion of the 2023 campaign. The hard-throwing 27-year-old made a handful of rehab appearances last season in San Francisco’s system and should be ready to compete for a spot in the Tigers’ bullpen in spring training.

Waites is back with San Francisco after being non-tendered earlier this month. The 25-year-old righty is expected to miss the entire 2024 campaign recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Waites, who emerged as a fine relief prospect in 2022, underwent Tommy John in September, so this was an easy one. He’ll probably take a minor league deal to stay in the organization.

Waites was diagnosed with a torn elbow ligament in July. He tried for rehab then, since surgery would have cost him most or all of 2024 anyway. Waites went into camp as a strong candidate for a spot in the Giants pen, but he was set back by a lat strain in March and didn’t make the team. When he did get back to the majors in May, it was just for three appearances, as he gave up four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings. The Giants could drop him from the 40-man and try to bring him back on a minor league deal this winter.

It’s the latest setback for the rookie right-hander, who has been snake-bitten by injuries this season. He’s likely to wind up missing the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

Waites has been sent back to the minors to make room for veteran lefty Alex Wood to return from the injured list. The 24-year-old righty has allowed five runs (four earned) with a 2/2 K/BB ratio across 2 1/3 innings (three appearances) this season.

The 24-year-old hurler hasn’t fared very well at Triple-A Sacramento this season -- registering a cringe-inducing 9.31 ERA, 2.37 WHIP and a 10/12 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings. He’ll likely be utilized in a mop-up capacity or when the Giants are trailing by a significant margin.

Waites was hoping to be ready in time for Opening Day as he continues to work his way back from a right lat strain this spring, but he’s going to need some additional time in the minors to continue building up his stamina. The hard-throwing 24-year-old righty looked impressive on Thursday in his spring training debut and figures to return to San Francisco sometime next month.

Waites suffered a right lat strain in the early stages of spring training and is hoping to be ready to go on Opening Day. The 24-year-old righty was touching the upper-90’s with his fastball in this outing and won’t wind up missing too much time, if he’s forced to open the regular season on the injured list.