In a series of notable roster moves, the Detroit Tigers have announced the promotion of infield prospects Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney from Triple-A Toledo for their much-anticipated MLB debuts. Simultaneously, the Tigers have designated veteran third baseman Gio Urshela for assignment, removing him from the 40-man roster.

These changes were made official ahead of Friday's game against the New York Yankees at Comerica Park, signaling a shift in the team's lineup. The Tigers' decision to promote the talented prospects reflects their commitment to developing young talent and injecting fresh energy into the roster.

Urshela, a seasoned nine-year MLB veteran, has been placed on waivers as a result of being designated for assignment by the Tigers. According to a source familiar with the situation, Urshela was informed of the team's decision after their 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.

The 32-year-old third baseman still has approximately $353,000 remaining from his $1.5 million 2024 salary, which he agreed to upon signing a one-year contract with the Tigers during spring training. Should he be claimed off waivers, his new team would take on his contract.

The Tigers will learn on Sunday whether Urshela clears waivers or gets claimed by another team. In the meantime, he will not play for the Tigers due to his removal from the 40-man roster, which has been done to accommodate the arrival of the promising infield prospects.

While Urshela's remaining salary makes him an affordable option, his performance with the Tigers has been underwhelming, having recorded a.243 batting average with five home runs, 19 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 92 games. Defensively, he has a minus-5 defensive runs saved at third base.

Interestingly, despite not drawing trade interest from other teams leading up to the July 30 trade deadline, Urshela could attract more attention on the waiver wire, as teams are not required to give up a prospect in exchange for acquiring him.

If Urshela clears waivers, he would be eligible to sign with a new team for the prorated minimum salary, which amounts to roughly $174,000. In this scenario, the Tigers would remain responsible for the remainder of his contract.

Throughout his 756-game MLB career, Urshela has played for various teams, including the Cleveland Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Angels. He notably hit a walk-off two-run home run in the Tigers' thrilling 11-9 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 13.

With the Tigers' emphasis on promoting young talent, Urshela's time with the team has come to an end. The team's decision to designate him for assignment signals their commitment to exploring new avenues for success as they look to shape their roster for the future.