Translation result.
▲ Connor Seabold
[SPOTV News reporter Park Seung-hwan] The Detroit Tigers designated Connor Seabold for assignment and placed him on waivers after the right-hander returned to the U.S. and publicly criticized the Samsung Lions.
The Tigers announced on the 25th (Korean time) that Troy Melton was activated from the 60-day injured list and would start that night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles — a move that prompted Detroit to DFA Seabold to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Seabold began his professional career after the Philadelphia Phillies selected him with the 83rd overall pick in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft. He made his big-league debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2021 and later spent time with the Colorado Rockies before signing with the Samsung Lions in Korea.
Joining Samsung ahead of the 2024 season, Seabold made 28 appearances and logged 160 innings with an 11-6 record and a 3.43 ERA. He didn’t finish the season, however — late-season right scapular pain sidelined him and kept him off the postseason mound, and he subsequently decided to part ways with Samsung.
On social media, Seabold apologized to Samsung fans for missing the postseason, saying the injured area required rehab time he realistically didn’t have. He also criticized Samsung’s training staff, calling the previous month “very disappointing,” and then returned to the United States.
▲ Connor Seabold
▲ Connor Seabold © Samsung Lions
After returning to the U.S., Seabold had brief stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves but posted a 4.35 ERA across seven appearances. That led to a deal with the Detroit Tigers ahead of this season. Seabold won a roster spot over Go Woo-seok and, through 11 games, had a 1-0 record with a 3.45 ERA. With Melton back, though, the Tigers needed the 40-man roster spot and Seabold was the odd man out.
MLB Trade Rumors reported that Seabold signed a split contract with Detroit before Opening Day. He made the Opening Day roster but missed roughly three weeks with ankle inflammation, and injuries limited much of his season. When healthy, he was effective out of the bullpen, posting a 3.45 ERA with a 20.3% strikeout rate and a 7.2% walk rate over 15 2/3 innings.
The outlet added that other Tigers relievers had minor-league options remaining, while Seabold did not, making him the most likely roster casualty to accommodate Melton’s return.
▲ Connor Seabold
▲ Connor Seabold
Seabold now faces three potential outcomes: another club claims him off waivers, he clears waivers and elects free agency, or he clears waivers and remains in Detroit’s minor-league system.
Despite allowing runs in his most recent outing, Seabold’s overall numbers make him a plausible pickup for teams needing bullpen depth. MLB Trade Rumors noted that, while his career big-league ERA sits at 7.28 across 134 2/3 innings, his recent results and a rise in average velocity — from 92.5 mph (about 148.9 km) to 93.5 mph (about 150.5 km) — could draw interest from clubs looking to bolster their relief corps.
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