The Detroit Tigers have added a familiar face to their organization, signing veteran right-handed reliever Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor-league contract. The 34-year-old, who earned a World Series ring with the 2016 Chicago Cubs, now reunites with former colleagues in the Tigers' front office, including Scott Harris, Jeff Greenberg, and Alex Smith—all of whom were part of the Cubs' championship run.
Edwards has been assigned to Triple-A Toledo, where he'll look to work his way back to the majors. His most recent MLB action came with the New York Mets in 2026, where he made two appearances, allowing one run over six innings while striking out 11 batters. However, his path to Detroit was a whirlwind: the Mets selected his contract on April 24, designated him for assignment on April 30, and after clearing waivers, Edwards elected free agency on May 3—just five days before signing with the Tigers.
Before his brief stint in Queens, Edwards posted a 5.29 ERA across four starts with Triple-A Syracuse, walking 11 and striking out 13 in 17 innings. Known for a three-pitch arsenal—four-seam fastball, curveball, and changeup—he brings a wealth of experience to a Tigers bullpen in need of depth.
Edwards' MLB journey spans nine teams over 12 seasons, including stops with the Cubs (2015-2019), San Diego Padres (2019, 2024), Seattle Mariners (2020), Atlanta Braves (2021), Toronto Blue Jays (2021), Washington Nationals (2022-2023), Los Angeles Angels (2025), Texas Rangers (2025), and the Mets (2026). His most productive years came with the Cubs (174⅓ innings) and the Nationals (93⅔ innings), where he established himself as a reliable arm.
Overall, Edwards owns a career 3.51 ERA across 302 games (292 innings), with an above-average 28.3% strikeout rate—though his 12.7% walk rate remains a concern. For Tigers fans, this low-risk signing offers a chance to add a veteran with playoff pedigree and a championship pedigree to the mix. Whether he can recapture his 2016 form in Detroit's system remains to be seen, but for a team building for the future, Edwards' experience could prove invaluable.