Detroit — The Tigers have made no secret of their intent to bolster the pitching staff this offseason, both in the rotation and bullpen.
And to that end, they have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with 31-year-old right-hander Drew Anderson.
The terms were not immediately revealed.
Anderson, who made a strong impression with the Tigers as a non-roster invitee to spring training in 2024, has spent the last two seasons pitching for SSG Landers in the Korean Baseball Organization.
After debuting with the Phillies in 2017 and brief stints with the White Sox and Rangers, Anderson pitched in Japan for two years before coming to camp with the Tigers in 2024. Working with the Tigers’ pitching department, the velocity on his fastball ticked up to 97 mph from 92 mph.
He didn’t break with the Tigers that year and after 14 games with Triple-A Toledo, went to Korea. He posted a 3.89 ERA in 2024 but after developing a kick changeup, he had a breakout season last year, posting a 2.25 ERA in 30 starts (171.2 innings), averaging nearly 13 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Tigers, who were among the teams bidding on free agent Ryan Helsley with hopes of transitioning him to the rotation, have also been linked in media reports to free agent right-hander Brad Keller.
Anderson, as it stands now, will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2026, joining incumbents Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Troy Melton, Reese Olson, Keider Montero, Sawyer Gipson-Long and Troy Melton.
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