The Detroit Tigers bullpen took a hit on Saturday as right-handed reliever Will Vest landed on the 15-day injured list with right forearm inflammation. In a corresponding move, the team called up right-hander Ricky Vanasco from Triple-A Toledo, adding him to the 40-man roster. To free up a spot on the roster, right-hander Yoniel Curet was designated for assignment.

This is far from ideal timing for the Tigers' relief corps. Vest has been the team's most reliable arm out of the bullpen and one of the top relievers in all of baseball this season. He hasn't pitched since last Sunday, and it had become increasingly clear that something wasn't right. The Tigers took a similarly cautious approach earlier this spring with right-hander Troy Melton, placing him on the 60-day injured list for forearm inflammation. That aggressive strategy appears to have paid off, as Melton avoided surgery and is set to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. The hope is that Vest will follow a similar path, but the team will need further testing and a ramp-up period before breathing a sigh of relief.

Enter Ricky Vanasco, a 27-year-old journeyman who has been absolutely dominant in the early going for the Mud Hens. Vanasco made brief major league debuts with both the Dodgers and Tigers in 2024, but his command has always held him back from becoming a dependable relief option. This spring, however, he seems to have figured things out in Toledo.

In 10 appearances spanning 15 innings, Vanasco has posted a perfect 0.00 ERA. He's struck out 28 batters while walking just four—a staggering 47.5 percent strikeout rate. Opponents are hitting just .148 against him, and his WHIP sits at an impressive 0.80.

Vanasco's fastball sits around 95 mph with excellent extension, though the pitch lacks elite movement. He relies on spotting it around the edges of the strike zone to avoid hard contact. His four-seamer typically generates about 16 degrees of induced vertical break—a mediocre mark—and doesn't run much to the arm side. Still, his extension and quick arm help the pitch play up. Mixing in a sharp power curveball keeps hitters off balance, and if he can maintain this level of control, he could be a valuable addition to the Tigers' bullpen during Vest's absence.