Wisler was released by the Tigers on Saturday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Wisler underwhelmed with a 4.40 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 39 appearances at Triple-A Toledo and failed to crack Detroit's big-league roster. The right-hander had some buzz when he broke into the majors, but he's now pitched in parts of eight big-league seasons and may very well have exhausted his opportunities in the majors.
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Tigers' Matt Wisler: Denied Opening Day roster spot
Rotowire
The Tigers reassigned Wisler to minor-league camp Monday.
Even though he settled for a minor-league deal with the Tigers in free agency, Wisler was expected to have a leg up on a spot in the Opening Day bullpen after submitting a sterling 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 35:14 K:BB in 44 innings at the big-league level with the Rays in 2022. Unfortunately for Wisler, he hardly resembled that pitcher in spring training, as he was touched up for 10 earned runs on 10 hits and seven walks while striking out just two over 5.1 innings. Unless he chooses to opt out of his deal with Detroit, Wisler will likely report to Triple-A Toledo and will look to sharpen his command and control with the hope of resurfacing in the majors.
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Tigers' Matt Wisler: Latches on with Detroit
Rotowire
Wisler signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Monday that includes an invitation to big-league spring training, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Wisler will have an opportunity to crack the Tigers' Opening Day roster after spending spring training with the team. The 30-year-old produced a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 35 strikeouts over 44 innings in 39 appearances with the Rays in 2022. Considering the lack of consistent options in Detroit's bullpen, Wisler has a real shot at being a significant contributor in 2023.
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Matt Wisler: Hits free agency
Rotowire
Wisler rejected an outright assignment to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday and was released by the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Wisler lost his spot on the Rays' 40-man roster Wednesday, and he'll choose to test free agency after going unclaimed on waivers rather than remaining in the organization. The right-hander has posted a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 44 innings over 39 appearances (five starts) for Tampa Bay this year, but he won't be eligible for postseason play if he lands a contract elsewhere.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Dropped from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Rays designated Wisler for assignment Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Wisler was activated from the 15-day injured list Thursday following a one month absence with a neck strain, but he will no longer have a spot on the Rays' 40-man roster after being DFA'd Monday. The reliever has produced a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 35 strikeouts over 44 innings in 39 appearances with Tampa Bay this season. Wisler could get claimed off waivers by a contender in need of an additional bullpen arm.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Activated by Tampa
Rotowire
Wisler (neck) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Thursday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Wisler was sidelined since July 27 due to a neck strain, but he began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham last week. The right-hander allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one in 3.2 innings over four rehab appearances and will rejoin the major-league bullpen after missing just over a month. He's posted a 2.36 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 42 innings over 38 appearances (five starts) for the Rays this year.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Rehab assignment on tap
Rotowire
Wisler (neck) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Wisler threw a bullpen session Saturday and has been cleared to return to game action in the minors. He's been sidelined since July 27 due to a neck strain, but it's possible that he rejoins the Rays' rotation sometime in late August or early September.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Ramping up activity
Rotowire
Wisler (neck) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Wisler has been sidelined since July 27 and is ramping up his activity for the first time since landing on the injured list. If all goes well with his session Saturday, Wisler could throw live batting practice as early as Monday. It's unclear if he will require a rehab assignment, but a return in early September appears realistic.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Shelved with neck strain
Rotowire
Tampa Bay placed Wisler on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a strained neck, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Wisler is the 17th player on the Rays roster who currently resides on the IL, matching a team record for the most at one time. His IL stint is backdated to Sunday, so Wisler will be eligible to return as soon as Aug. 9. According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Wisler is scheduled to meet with a specialist Thursday, which could shed more light on a potential return timetable.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Serving as opener Monday
Rotowire
Wisler will serve as the opener during Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Wisler will serve in an opening role for the fifth time this season during Monday's matchup, while Josh Fleming is expected to serve as the primary pitcher. Over his last four appearances, Wisler has allowed a run (zero earned) on no hits and two walks while striking out three in 3.1 innings.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Opens Thursday
Rotowire
Wisler opened in Thursday's 4-1 loss in Toronto, striking out one and walking one in one inning. He did not factor into the decision.
Wisler tossed 14 pitches and only faced three batters as he erased a leadoff single with a groundball double play. It was his fourth time opening this season and the first time since May 6. He's compiled a solid 2.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB in 36 innings across 32 appearances.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Serving as opener Thursday
Rotowire
Wisler will serve as the opener during Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Although Jeffrey Springs initially lined up to start Thursday's matchup, the Rays will choose to use Wisler as an opener followed by a bulk reliever. Over 31 appearances (three starts) this year, Wisler has posted a 2.83 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 35 innings.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Earns extra-inning save
Rotowire
Wisler struck out one in a scoreless 11th inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Rangers.
Wisler was inserted into a tricky save situation, as he was tasked with protecting a one-run lead in extra innings. However, he didn't allow the designated runner at second base to advance and picked up his first save of the season. Wisler has maintained a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 20:7 K:BB across 25.2 innings to begin the campaign. He is unlikely to see regular save chances, as this opportunity only came after each of J.P. Feyereisen, Brooks Raley and Colin Poche had entered the game.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Blows save chance
Rotowire
Wisler allowed two runs (one earned) on two walks and a hit to blow the save Friday against the Orioles.
Wisler entered the game in the 10th inning and was tasked with protecting a two-run lead. However, he walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases and allowed a two-RBI single. Brooks Raley figures to pick up the majority of save chances if Andrew Kittredge (back) misses time moving forward, though Wisler could also get work in higher-leverage spots. Despite the stumble Friday, Wisler has a 2.61 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with a 15:6 K:BB across 20.2 innings on the season.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Yields two runs
Rotowire
Wisler allowed two runs on two hits in two innings during Friday's win over the Mariners. He struck out two batters and did not factor in the decision.
Wisler acted as the opener Friday and promptly served up a two-run shot to Eugenio Suarez in the first inning. It was his first time allowing more than one earned run in an appearance this season and he's now sporting a 2.57 ERA through 14 frames. Wisler will likely continue getting occasional starts while primarily working out of the bullpen.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Opening again Friday
Rotowire
Wisler will start Friday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The 29-year-old will serve as an opener for the third time this season, and he'll again pitch ahead of Josh Fleming. Wisler has a 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 11:2 K:BB across 12 innings this season, and he should cover an inning or two Friday before turning things over to Fleming.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Two innings as opener
Rotowire
Wisler served as the opener and allowed two hits in two scoreless innings, adding two strikeouts in an 8-4 loss Tuesday against Seattle. He did not factor into the decision.
Wisler pitched a perfect first inning and, after allowing consecutive singles, retired the final three batters of the second. The journeyman opened for the second time this season and has a 1.93 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 9.1 innings while striking out nearly a batter an inning. Those numbers are similar to his overall results since 2020.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Opening again Tuesday
Rotowire
Wisler will open Tuesday's game against Seattle, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Wisler was a starter early in his career, so being the first pitcher on the mound shouldn't be uncomfortable for him. He's already filled the opener role once this season, recording five outs last Tuesday against the Cubs. He hasn't thrown more than two innings since 2020, so don't expect him to pitch particularly deep in Tuesday's game. Josh Fleming will handle the bulk of the innings behind him.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Opening Tuesday's game
Rotowire
Wisler will serve as the opener in Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Wisler has been busy early in the season, as he's made five appearances and covered 4.2 innings. While he's put together an impressive 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP to go along with a 6:1 K:BB, his lack of extended outings indicates that he is unlikely to work more than two frames Tuesday. Josh Fleming is expected to enter the game after Wisler and work multiple innings.
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Rays' Matt Wisler: Avoids arbitration
Rotowire
Wisler avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.16 million contract with the Rays, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
After posting mediocre numbers as a starter early in his career, Wisler has emerged as a reliable reliever in recent seasons. Over the last two years, he's struck out 32.1 percent of opposing batters en route to a 2.80 ERA. That could make him a closer candidate on many teams, but the Rays' deep and flexible bullpen makes him tough to project for more than a handful of saves.
