A new left-handed pitcher is joining the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers signed Enmanuel De Jesus to a minor-league contract Monday, Dec. 15, that includes a non-roster invitation to spring training, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement who couldn’t speak publicly since the deal hasn’t been announced. The 29-year-old spent the past two seasons as a starter in the KBO League in South Korea.
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He will earn $1.3 million if he makes the MLB roster.
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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Enmanuel De Jesus (83) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York on Sept. 27, 2023.
De Jesus hasn’t competed in the United States since 2023, when he made his MLB debut that September with Miami Marlins.
He appeared in two games for the Marlins as a multi-inning reliever, logging an 11.37 ERA – the result of surrendering eight runs on nine hits and four walks (plus three hit-by-pitches) with five strikeouts across 6⅓ innings. He also posted a 4.78 ERA with 51 walks and 61 strikeouts over 84⅔ innings in 17 games (16 starts) for Triple-A Jacksonville.
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After those struggles, De Jesus joined the KBO League as a starter for the Kiwoom Heroes in 2024 and the KT Wiz in 2025.
He had moderate success in Korea.
From 2024-25, De Jesus combined for a 3.83 ERA with 88 walks (6.1% walk rate) and 343 strikeouts (23.8% strikeout rate) over 334 innings in 62 starts. He registered a 3.68 ERA across 171â…“ innings in 2024, then a 3.96 ERA across 162â…” innings in 2025.
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For the Tigers, De Jesus has the track record to enter spring training as a starter, albeit with a slim chance of earning a rotation spot, before potentially transitioning to the bullpen. By the end of camp, the Tigers may face a decision about his 2026 role: starter in Triple-A or reliever in MLB.
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He profiles best as starter depth at the Triple-A level.
Back in 2023, De Jesus threw four pitch types in his two games with the Marlins: four-seam fastball (31.6%), changeup (28.7%), slider (22.1%) and sinker (17.6%).
His fastball averaged 93.4 mph, and his changeup missed bats while limiting both contact and damage. In his MLB debut, his slider struck out Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm swinging for the first strikeout of his big-league career.
De Jesus also pitched for Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
He threw 63 pitches against Team Israel in his lone appearance, allowing one run on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts across 3â…” innings out of the bullpen.
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The Boston Red Sox signed De Jesus out of Venezuela as an international free gent in August 2013.
He worked his way through the minor leagues for the Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Marlins before his MLB debut in 2023, including Triple-A Sacramento with the Giants in 2022 while Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris served as the Giants’ general manager.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show “Days of Roar” every Monday afternoon during the season and Tuesday afternoon during the offseason on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers sign Enmanuel De Jesus to minor-league contract