Detroit — Burch Smith has been in the game so long, he was once the teammate of Tigers’ pitching coach Chris Fetter.
But his long and winding road, which includes parts of six big-league seasons and stints in Japan and Korea, has brought him, finally, to the Tigers.
The 36-year-old right-handed reliever was selected from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday and he was available to pitch against the Brewers.
“This is where you want to be,” Smith said. “Everything I do is to be at this level and have success. To be here and have that chance is all you can ask for.”
Smith replaces lefty Enmanuel De Jesus, who was optioned to Toledo.
“Burch was arguably one of the toughest pitching decisions at the end of spring,” said manager AJ Hinch, who was in the Padres’ front office when Smith was drafted in 2011. “Just because of how well he threw the ball. He has some weapons for lefties and righties and he really did a good job of stating his case to make our Opening Day roster.
“This move was probable at some point.”
Hinch said Smith was selected over right-handers Ricky Vanasco and Brenan Hanifee, both of whom are pitching well at Toledo.
“Getting an additional right-hander is probably good for the next series,” said Hinch, of the Tigers’ upcoming series in Cincinnati. “Plus, De Jesus was going to be down for the next couple of days (after throwing 49 pitches Tuesday). We didn’t want to have a guy in the pen who wasn’t going to pitch.”
Smith hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2024. He spent last season at Triple-A in the Pirates system. But he has developed a changeup to go along with his riding, 94-mph four-seamer and cutter that he showcased in the Dominican Winter League, which caught the Tigers’ attention.
“It’s mostly just being healthy and being on the field,” Smith said. “Now I just try to keep it as simple as possible. That tends to work for me.”
He’s struck out 16 with no walks in 10 innings at Toledo.
“I do remember him as a young prospect,” Hinch said. “And now we’re seeing him develop into this very viable guy. He’s changed, he’s evolved and he’s gone through a lot. But teams keep giving him a chance because of the stuff he has and the versatility he offers.”
Smith and Fetter were teammates in the San Diego system at High-A Elsinore in 2011 and 2012. Fetter’s playing career was winding down then while Smith’s journey was just starting. The Tigers are his ninth MLB organization (Padres, Rays, Royals, Brewers, Giants, Athletics, Orioles and Pirates).
“I’ve played baseball in a lot of places,” he said. “That helps, I think. It’s given me a lot of perspective. I’ve dealt with some injuries over the years. Any time you can have a jersey on is a good day.”
De Jesus, one of the heroes of Team Venezuela’s gold medal-winning WBC run, had a nightmarish outing Tuesday, giving up seven runs in 1⅓ innings, compounding his mess with a throwing error and two walks.
“He will report to Toledo (Thursday),” Hinch said. “He’s going to continue in this hybrid role. That’s his best chance to come back and help us.”
To make room for Smith on the 40-man roster, the Tigers moved lefty Bailey Horn (elbow) to the 60-day injured list.
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Burch Smith called up by Tigers; Enmanuel De Jesus optioned to Toledo
Reporting by Chris McCosky, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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