Kyle

Funkhouser

Funkhouser heads to Triple-A Round Rock as emergency organizational depth for the Rangers. The well-traveled 32-year-old righty was one of the better young pitchers in Detroit’s system last decade but ended up making just 70 appearances over a two-year span from 2020-2021 due to shoulder issues.

Funkhouser latched on with Los Angeles on a minor league pact back in late May and posted an inflated 6.03 ERA across 62 2/3 innings over 17 appearances (12 starts) this season at the Triple-A level. The 31-year-old righty hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since the 2021 campaign due to shoulder issues.

Funkhouser did not pitch at the MLB level in 2022 because of right lat and shoulder discomfort that eventually required surgery in July. He’s expected to be recovered by the middle of 2023 and can then get a look as a versatile bullpen option for Texas. The 28-year-old was an effective swingman for the Tigers in 2021, pitching to a 3.42 ERA over 68 1/3 innings.

The 28-year-old right-hander had already been removed from the club’s 40-man roster earlier in the week, signaling that this move was coming. He’s now free to latch on elsewhere -- presumably on a minor league pact with an invitation to big league camp.

Funkhouser is one of four Tigers minor leaguers who were bumped from the 40-man roster on Tuesday. The 28-year-old hurler holds a 4.20 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 75/49 K/BB ratio over 85 2/3 innings in his career at the big league level.

Funkhouser was placed on the injured list just before Opening Day due to discomfort in his right lat and shoulder, and it simply hasn’t improved over the last four months. He will aim to be ready by next spring.

Funkhouser has been experiencing recurring pain in both his right lat and shoulder and will visit a specialist to determine the severity of the issue. The 28-year-old righty reliever has yet to make an appearance this year for the Tigers and this latest setback puts his entire season in jeopardy.

Funkhouser, who missed time in spring training due to a lat strain, has been out all season due to a right shoulder strain. He hasn’t made a ton of progress towards a return to the Tigers’ bullpen, but is trending towards being ready at some point after the All-Star break.

Funkhouser went on the 10-day IL just before the start of the regular season with a right shoulder strain, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL in late April. There remains no timetable for his 2022 debut.

Funkhouser’s placement on the 60-day injured lit opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Beau Brieske, who is making his MLB debut on Saturday in the second game of a doubleheader. Funkhouser is not expected back until near the end of May, and this designation confirms that.