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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He has struggled with walks throughout his career.
The Nationals designated Pilkington for assignment Jan. 28; he then elected free agency Thursday instead of accepting an outright assignment to the Triple-A level.
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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).
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.
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This story will be updated.
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, LHP, signs minor-league deal with Detroit Tigers