The Tigers have designated 24-year old righty swinging outfielder Wilkin Ramirez for assignment. Ramirez played in 97 games in AA+AAA-ball last season and he was 84 of 365 (.230 avg, .753 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 19 homers, 56 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. He played in 15 games in his career with the Tigers and he was 4 of 11 (.364 avg, 1.203 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 3 RBIs. The Tigers needed Ramirez’ roster spot for recently acquired Jhonny Peralta.

UPDATE: (7/31/2010) - The Tigers have traded Ramirez to the Braves for either a player to be named later or cash.

The Tigers have acquired 28-year old righty swinging 3B/SS Jhonny Peralta from the Indians for 19-year old lefty starting pitcher Giovanni Soto. Peralta played in 91 games for the Indians this season and he was 82 of 334 (.246 avg, .698 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 7 homers and 43 RBIs. He has now played in 923 games in his 8 years in the majors and he is 906 of 3,435 (.264 avg, .751 OPS) with 477 runs scored, 103 homers and 456 RBIs. Soto pitched in 16 games (all starts) in A-ball for the Tigers this year and he was 6-6 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. In two years in the minors for the Tigers, Soto pitched in 29 games (22 starts) in which he was 10-6 with 1 save, a 2.10 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Peralta will take over as the starting 3B until Brandon Inge returns. He then could slide over to SS when Inge returns giving the Tigers a pretty solid all-around infield. I like this trade for the Tigers as Soto was not one of their top 30 prospects heading into this season.

The Tigers have designated 26-year old righty reliever Casey Fien for assignment. Fien pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Tigers this year and he was 0-0 with a 10.13 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. He pitched in 11 games (0 starts) in parts of two years with the Tigers and he was 0-1 with a 8.36 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP. The Tigers have recalled 27-year old lefty swinging 1B/OF Jeff Larish to replace Fien on the active roster. Larish has played in 84 games in AAA-ball this year and he was 82 of 298 (.275 avg, .870 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 15 homers and 55 RBIs. He has played in 74 games in parts of two seasons with the Tigers and he is 43 of 178 (.242 avg, .728 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Larish does have a problem with whiffing as he has done it 59 times already in his major league career. The Tigers aren’t going to nitpick about the whiffs as long as Larish helps them out with the bat.

The Tigers have released 26-year old righty starting pitcher Billy Buckner. He pitched in 8 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Tigers and he was 3-5 with a 9.40 ERA and a 2.04 WHIP. He gave up a stunning 60 hits (8 homers) in only 37 1/3 innings for the Tigers in AAA ball before his release. Well this trade didn’t help either team as the D-Backs have cut Dontrelle Willis while the Tigers pulled the plug on Billy Buckner.

The Tigers have placed starting 2B Carlos Guillen on the 15-day disabled list with a right calf strain. Guillen has played in 61 games for the Tigers this year and he is 63 of 225 (.280 avg, .764 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 5 homers and 30 RBIs. The Tigers have recalled 27-year old lefty swinging Will Rhymes to replace Guillen on the roster. He has played in 88 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 102 of 336 (.304 avg, .781 OPS) with 54 runs scored, 2 homers, 34 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. Rhymes has now played in 648 games in his six years in the minors and he is 727 of 2,518 (.289 avg, .727 OPS) with 376 runs scored, 18 homers, 259 RBIs and 123 stolen bases. Rhymes will likely share time with Danny Worth and Scott Sizemore at 2B until Guillen is ready to return to action. Losing Guillen & Ordonez to injury at the same time is a huge blow to the Tigers.