The Detroit Tigers have added another left-handed option to their bullpen with spring training on the horizon.
Left-handed reliever Konnor Pilkington signed a minor-league contract Monday, Feb. 9, with the Tigers, just two days before pitchers and catchers report to camp in Lakeland, Florida.
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Signing with the Tigers, the 28-year-old received a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training and will earn $1.2 million if he makes the MLB roster, plus a potential $250,000 in incentives, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement.
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Washington Nationals starting pitcher Konnor Pilkington (45) pitches during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Aug. 16, 2025.
Pilkington has one minor-league option remaining, so if he ends up on the 40-man roster, the Tigers can shuffle him between Triple-A and MLB throughout the 2026 season.
In 2025, Pilkington posted a 4.45 ERA with 17 walks (13.8% walk rate) and 34 strikeouts (27.6% strikeout rate) across 28â…“ innings in 32 relief appearances for the Washington Nationals. He also had a 2.59 ERA across 41â…” innings in 36 games for Triple-A Rochester.
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For the Nationals, Pilkington threw a four-seam fastball, changeup and slider in the big leagues. He unlocked more whiffs and strikeouts than ever before in his career, but command remained a problem.
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His fastball averaged 94.5 mph with nearly 60% usage, his changeup generated an above-average 37% whiff rate, and his slider got hit around, both for contact and damage.
Pilkington had reverse platoon splits in 2025.
Right-handed hitters produced a .183 batting average with a .670 OPS in 75 plate appearances, while left-handed hitters registered a .262 batting average with a .997 OPS in 48 plate appearances.
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The Nationals designated Pilkington for assignment Jan. 28. He elected free agency Thursday instead of accepting an outright assignment to the Triple-A level.
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For the Tigers, Pilkington will compete with fellow left-handers Enmanuel De Jesus, Sean Guenther, Bailey Horn, Bryan Sammons and Drew Sommers for what could be a third and final spot for a lefty reliever in the Opening Day bullpen, joining Tyler Holton and Brant Hurter.
Whether the Tigers carry two or three left-handed relievers in the bullpen will be a discussion between president of baseball operations Scott Harris and manager A.J. Hinch throughout spring training.
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If it’s three, then Pilkington will be an option.
Pilkington has pitched in parts of three MLB seasons with the Cleveland Guardians (2022-23) and Nationals (2025). He owns a career 3.97 ERA with a 12.9% walk rate and 22.1% strikeout rate, spanning 88â…“ innings in 48 games (11 starts).
He has struggled with walks throughout his career.
The Chicago White Sox selected Pilkington in the third round, at No. 81 overall, in the 2018 draft out of Mississippi State. He was traded from the White Sox to the Guardians at the 2021 trade deadline in exchange for infielder César Hernández.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Konnor Pilkington signs minor-league contract with Detroit Tigers