Fu-Te

Ni

Ni has been limited to just five starts and two relief appearances this season with Triple-A Toledo due to shoulder issues. The 29-year-old southpaw made 58 relief appearances for the Tigers from 2009-2010.

The 31-year-old southpaw hasn’t appeared in the major leagues since he was with the Tigers in 2010. He’ll function merely as organizational depth for the Dodgers.

Ni signed with the Tigers out of Taiwan in 2009 but flamed out after posting a 4.33 over his first 58 major league relief appearances. The 31-year-old lefty is hoping to break back into MLB-affiliated ball at some point.

Ni will jump right into the Tigers’ bullpen, and should be available Sunday. The 26-year-old sidearmer had a 3.34 ERA and 132 strikeouts in 145 1/3 innings for his club in Taiwan last season.

An agreement was reached last month, but the Tigers announced it today. Ni, 26, went 5-12 with a 3.34 ERA and a league-leading 132 strikeouts in 145 1/3 innings for his team in Taiwan last season. The sidearmer is highly unlikely to make it as a starter in the majors, but perhaps he could have some success in the bullpen.

We thought Fien had a pretty good chance of making the team with Joel Zumaya expected to start off on the DL, but a 1.23 ERA wasn’t good enough for the Tigers. With Dolsi also out of the mix, it currently looks like Detroit will go with a pen of Brandon Lyon, Fernando Rodney, Bobby Seay, Clay Rapada, Zach Miner, Juan Rincon and either Ryan Perry or Eddie Bonine. Rule 5 pick Kyle Bloom and Scott Williamson look like long shots.

The Tigers still have the rights to the Tawianese lefty, but have moved him off the 40-man roster and may keep him in the minor leagues for all of 2011. He posted a 6.65 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 23 innings this year.

“He’s had a very good spring, quietly,” said manager Jim Leyland, “and we’re watching him closely.” Ni followed up a moderately successful 2009 season with a very poor 2010. In the past, he has shown the ability to pitch at the major league level, but is attempting to put last year’s difficulties behind him.

Ni allowed two hits, three walks and four earned runs on Tuesday in mop-up duty against the Twins. He does not belong in the big leagues at the moment.

Ni allowed only four hits and one earned run in 10 innings of work this spring in big league camp and should be one of the first minor league relievers on the Tigers’ call-up list. The lefty is ready for big league ball.