DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have signed veteran right-hander Drew Anderson to a one-year Major League contract.
The terms of the deal, which include a team option for 2027, have not yet been disclosed.
Anderson, 31, is likely to get his first sustained opportunity in the big leagues after four strong seasons overseas.
The Tigers know him well. They signed Anderson to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training in 2024. He fell short of an Opening Day roster spot and began the season with Triple-A Toledo, before quickly finding another opportunity in Asia. The Tigers agreed to transfer his rights to the SSG Landers in Korea for cash considerations.
It was the second stint overseas for Anderson, who had spent two seasons in Japan before signing with Detroit.
Anderson has played in parts of five big-league seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers, but has never appeared in more than nine games.
He’s coming off the best season of his career. He made 30 starts and threw 171 2/3 innings for Landers, striking out 245 with a 2.25 ERA.
A Nevada native, Anderson was drafted in the 21st round out of high school by the Phillies in 2012 and made his big-league debut in 2017.
He has been a reliever for most of his career, but he has started the last two seasons in Korea and will get that opportunity this spring for the Tigers, joining a rotation mix that includes ace Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Reese Olson and Troy Melton.
TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Left-handed pitchers (6): Tyler Holton, Bailey Horn, Brant Hurter, Jake Miller, Tarik Skubal, Drew Sommers.
Right-handed pitchers (14): Drew Anderson, Beau Brieske, Jack Flaherty, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Brenan Hanifee, Jackson Jobe, Chase Lee, Ty Madden, Troy Melton, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Dylan Smith, Will Vest.
Catchers (4): Dillon Dingler, Thayron Liranzo, Jake Rogers, Eduardo Valencia.
Infielders (9): Javier Báez, Trei Cruz, Jace Jung, Colt Keith, Hao-Yu Lee, Zach McKinstry, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres.
Outfielders (7): Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Jahmai Jones, Justyn-Henry Malloy, Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, Matt Vierling.