Tigers outright Nesbitt to Toledo

The Tigers’ Friday afternoon news release was a minor one: Angel Nesbitt, who came out of nowhere in Spring Training to make the Opening Day roster in 2015 but has done little since, was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo after clearing waivers.

The Tigers dropped Nesbitt from their 40-man roster two weeks ago to make room for Alex Avila, who signed a one-year, $2 million contract just before Christmas.

It’s a hard fall from two years ago for Nesbitt, who turned 26 years old a month ago. The hard-throwing Venezuelan had a solid opening month in the Majors in 2015 before his effectiveness waned and his confidence sank in turn. He gave up 13 earned runs on 22 hits over 21 2/3 innings in 2015, walking eight and striking out 14, before he was optioned to Toledo in mid-June. His struggles continued with the Mud Hens with 28 earned runs on 54 hits over 40 1/3 innings.

Nesbitt went to winter ball last year to try to regather his game, tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the Venezuelan League. He reported to big-league camp and made an early impression before he sprained his right ankle during fielding drills in mid-March. He opened the season on the disabled list before returning to Toledo in May.

Nesbitt struggled again, eventually being sent to Double-A Erie at midseason. Combine the two stops with a brief rehab assignment at Class A Lakeland, and Nesbiitt finished with 26 earned runs on 63 hits over 47 2/3 innings, good for a 4.91 ERA. He walked 19 and struck out 42.