Jairo

Labourt

Labourt was released by the White Sox last July after allowing six runs -- three earned -- over 5 2/3 innings with their team in the rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He’ll be minor league depth for Tampa Bay.

The 23-year-old southpaw split his time as a starter and reliever at High-A Lakeland in 2016, compiling a 5.67 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 81/70 K/BB ratio. His clearest path to the big leagues would be out of the bullpen.

Labourt, 23, held a 2.17 ERA and 79/33 K/BB ratio across 66 1/3 frames over three levels in the minors this season. He’ll be making his major league debut when he gets into a game.

Labourt has posted some underwhelming numbers this season in High-A ball, but he’s a big left-hander with a very good arsenal and he doesn’t turn 22 years old until next March. The kid is more than just a throw-in.

Labourt, who was acquired from the Blue Jays in the David Price deal last year, had a 5.12 ERA and 104/59 K/BB ratio 116 innings last season in High-A. The 22-year-old has a good arm, but control is still a major issue.

The move protects Labourt from the Rule 5 Draft. He was one of the pieces that moved over to the Tigers as part of the team’s trade of David Price to the Blue Jays in July. The 21-year-old southpaw struggled to a 5.12 ERA at the High-A level, but he’s got a nice arm and the Tigers are being patient with him as he develops.

Labourt began the spring with the Tigers before bouncing around between a few different clubs on the waiver wire. He had a 4.50 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, and 4/7 K/BB ratio in his first six major league innings with Detroit in 2017. Control remains a huge issue for the 24-year-old left-hander.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Francisco Liriano. Labourt put up some nice numbers last season in his first year as a full-time reliever and could draw some interest on waivers.

Labourt was designated for assignment earlier this week to clear out a 40-man roster spot for newly-signed catcher Jonathan Lucroy. Labourt, 24, made his major league debut with the Tigers in 2017, yielding three earned runs in six innings of relief. Oakland claimed him off waivers from the Reds in early March.

Labourt had been designated for assignment. The young left-hander struggled with his control in a brief audition with the Tigers last season, but he throws hard and posted nice numbers in the minors as a full-time reliever. Labourt is a worthy flier for the Reds.