The Detroit Tigers have added some veteran infield depth, signing shortstop Paul DeJong to a minor-league contract. The nine-year MLB veteran will earn a prorated $1 million salary if he gets promoted to the big-league club, but for now, he has been assigned to Triple-A Toledo.

DeJong recently opted out of his minor-league deal with the New York Yankees to test the open market, and the Tigers quickly swooped in. "I know Paul is a real option for us as soon as we need it, given his experience and what he can bring to a team," manager A.J. Hinch said before Tuesday's game against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. "He was available, and it's nice that he wants to be a Tiger."

In 2026, the right-handed hitter played 23 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the Yankees' organization. He hit .203 with six home runs, 16 walks, and 18 strikeouts, while logging time at third base (82⅓ innings), shortstop (50 innings), and second base (26 innings).

DeJong's MLB journey has taken him from the St. Louis Cardinals (2017-23) to the Toronto Blue Jays (2023), San Francisco Giants (2023), Chicago White Sox (2024), Kansas City Royals (2024), and Washington Nationals (2025). Last season with the Nationals, he hit .228 with six home runs, 11 walks (5.3% walk rate), and 70 strikeouts (33.7% strikeout rate) across 57 games, while registering minus-2 defensive runs saved over 68 innings at shortstop.

Hinch emphasized the value of adding a player with DeJong's track record. "Getting Paul here certainly strengthens our depth. He's got experience, high-character guy, hits homers, plays defense around the infield. I'm really happy that he wanted to join the organization."

For Tigers fans, this move signals a focus on infield versatility and seasoned leadership—qualities that can pay dividends as the season progresses. Whether DeJong gets the call to the majors remains to be seen, but his presence in the system adds a layer of reliability that every contending team covets.