Tigers Sign Right-Hander Ricky Vanasco to Minor League Deal

The Detroit Tigers have signed right-handed pitcher Ricky Vanasco to a minor league contract, according to MLB.com's transaction tracker. The 26-year-old, represented by Full Circle Sports Management, has been assigned to Triple-A Toledo and is expected to receive an invitation to major league spring training.

Vanasco's Journey in 2024
Vanasco concluded the 2024 season with the Tigers after being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a cash deal in July. Although he spent most of his time in the minors, he made two major league appearances for Detroit. Following a non-tender decision last week, Vanasco became a free agent but was quickly re-signed by the Tigers without being exposed to waivers.

Early Career and Injury Challenges
Drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2017, Vanasco showed promise in the lower minors, earning a ranking as the #12 prospect in the organization by Baseball America heading into 2020. However, his career faced a setback when he underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2020, causing him to miss the entire 2021 season. To protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, the Rangers added him to their 40-man roster in November 2021.

Return to Form
Vanasco returned to the mound in 2022, making 23 starts across High-A and Double-A levels. He posted a 4.68 ERA over 92 1/3 innings with a strong 28.9% strikeout rate, though his 12.7% walk rate remained high. Knee surgery in 2023 limited his playing time, but he transitioned to a relief role and achieved a 2.78 ERA over 32 1/3 innings, striking out 31.9% of batters with a 9.9% walk rate. Midway through that season, he was acquired by the Dodgers.


​Major League Experience
In 2024, Vanasco made a total of four major league appearances, split between the Dodgers and Tigers. He spent the majority of the season in Triple-A, where he recorded a 2.45 ERA over 40 1/3 innings, with a 26.4% strikeout rate and a notably high 16.5% walk rate.