In a move that adds experienced depth to their bullpen, the Detroit Tigers have signed former Los Angeles Angels reliever Nick Sandlin to a minor league contract, the team announced Sunday.

Sandlin, 29, originally joined the Angels on a minor league deal this spring and earned a promotion to the big league club in late April. However, his stint in Anaheim proved brief and rocky. Over just 8.2 innings of work, the right-hander struggled to a staggering 11.42 ERA, surrendering 11 earned runs on nine hits—including two home runs. Five of his eight appearances saw him allow two or more runs, with his first three outings in an Angels uniform each ending with two runs on his ledger.

The struggles led the Angels to designate Sandlin for assignment on May 4, and he elected free agency two days later.

Before his time in Los Angeles, Sandlin enjoyed a solid run with the Cleveland Guardians, where he posted a 3.27 ERA across 209 relief appearances over four seasons. He was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025 and showed promise with a 2.20 ERA through 19 outings, though a majority of that season was spent on the injured list.

Now, Sandlin heads to Detroit, where he'll look to rediscover that form. The Tigers' bullpen currently ranks 12th in MLB in reliever ERA, so the competition for a roster spot will be stiff. For Sandlin, a return to his pre-Angels effectiveness will be key if he hopes to earn another shot at the major league level.