Tigers sign sidewinder who struggled to stay healthy with Yankees

Conor Liguori

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Tigers sign sidewinder who struggled to stay healthy with Yankees image

The Detroit Tigers made an under-the-radar bullpen addition in December, signing right-hander Scott Effross to a minor league contract. 

Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports that Effross will earn a salary of $950,000 if he earns a Major League roster spot, and his contract includes an invitation to Major League spring training. 

Effross, 32, experienced numerous injuries during parts of three seasons with the New York Yankees, which limited him to just 27 appearances with the AL East club. He missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, and he was on the injured list for three months in 2025 after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain after throwing one pitch last spring. 

The Yankees non-tendered Effross in November. 

What can Effross bring to the Tigers' bullpen? 

Effross' limited action on the mound in recent seasons raises many questions about what he can provide with the Tigers in 2026. He debuted in 2021 with the Chicago Cubs and held opponents to a.196 batting average in 12.2 innings following a trade to the Yankees in 2022. 

At best, Effross earns a roster spot on the Tigers' roster and can stay healthy enough to throw 30-50 efficient innings, most likely in low-leverage situations. Otherwise, he will serve as depth at Triple-A Toledo. 

This offseason, Detroit added Kyle Finnegan and Kenley Jansen to the back end of their bullpen, and Drew Anderson from the Korea Baseball Organization as a middle relief option. 

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News Correspondent