The Detroit Tigers have officially released veteran outfielder Ben Gamel from their Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens, the team announced Friday.
Gamel, 33, joined the Tigers earlier this year as a seasoned depth option but was placed on the injured list on April 25 with an undisclosed issue. He didn’t record any official at-bats for Toledo before being released to free up a roster spot.
A veteran of nine MLB seasons, Gamel has played for eight different major league teams, including the Houston Astros and New York Mets in 2024. The lefty hitter holds a career batting average of .252 and a .718 OPS over 682 games.
The Tigers are expected to continue adjusting their Triple-A roster as the trade deadline nears, in search of longer-term solutions in the outfield. As for Gamel, he’ll now explore opportunities with a ninth big-league club—likely on a minor-league deal offering a quicker path to the majors.
Detroit’s move suggests confidence in their current outfield prospects while giving Gamel the chance to pursue a fresh opportunity. With the heart of the season approaching, don’t be surprised if the veteran finds a new team before July.
