The Tigers have designated 26-year old righty reliever Casey Fien for assignment to make room for Johnny Damon on the active roster. Fien pitched in 9 games (0 starts) for the Tigers last season and he was 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. He also pitched in 42 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last season and he was 2-1 with 14 saves, a 3.41 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Fien only gave up 51 hits in 58 innings in the minors last season while whiffing 66 batters which shows that he has good stuff. The Tigers probably hope that Fien clears waivers so that they can keep him.

UPDATE: The Tigers have lost Casey Fien on waivers to the Red Sox.

The Tigers have signed 36-year old lefty swinging outfielder Johnny Damon to a 1-year, $8 million dollar deal. Damon will likely bat second and play left field for the Tigers in 2010. Damon played in 143 games for the Yankees last season and he was 155 for 550 (.282 avg, .854 OPS) with 107 runs scored, 24 homers, 82 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Damon has now played in 2,131 games in his major league career and he is 2,425 of 8,408 (.288 avg, .794 OPS) with 1,483 runs scored, 207 homers, 996 RBIs and 374 stolen bases. The Tigers made a great signing here as Damon will upgrade the lineup and allow Carlos Guillen to DH where he has a chance of staying healthy.

The Tigers have signed 30-year old righty reliever Jose Valverde to a 2-year, $14 million dollar contract with a option for a third year. Valverde pitched in 52 games (0 starts) for the Astros last season and he was 4-2 with 25 saves, a 2.33 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has now pitched in 379 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 19-19 with 167 saves, a 3.17 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Valverde has only allowed 296 hits in 386 innings in his major league career while whiffing 470 batters showing just how nasty his stuff is. This was a great signing for the Tigers who have really built a nice pitching staff. He will be the kind of lights out closer that they need.

29-year old switch-hitting catcher Mike Rabelo has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers. He was traded to the Marlins in the December 4, 2007 trade which brought Dontelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers. Rabelo only played in 9 games in Rookie Ball last season for the Marlins and he was 4 for 28 (.143 avg, .548 OPS) with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. He has also played three years in the majors appearing in 86 games in which he is 65 for 278 (.234 avg, .612 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 4 homers and 28 RBIs. This was a depth signing as Rabelo probably heads into spring training as the Tigers’ #4 catcher.

The Tigers have signed 28-year old lefty swinging 1B/3B/OF Kory Casto to a minor league deal. He played in 126 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 121 for 447 (.271 avg, .712 OPS) with 57 runs scored, 8 homers, 58 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. He has also played in 82 games in his major league career and he is 42 for 217 (.194 avg, .540 OPS) with 16 runs scored, 2 homers and 19 RBIs. Casto was once one of the Nationals’ better prospects so it doesn’t hurt to give him a chance to earn a job in spring training.