Soria to return to Tigers; Dirks, McCoy claimed on waivers


DETROIT -- The Tigers made a few roster moves two days after the end of the World Series.
Right-hander Joakim Soria will return to the Tigers' bullpen as the team picked up his $7 million option.
The Tigers also extended one-year qualifying offers to right-handed pitcher Max Scherzer and designated hitter Victor Martinez.
Scherzer, 30, was 18-5 with a 3.15 ERA. The 18 wins tied for the American League lead.
Martinez, 35, was second in the AL with a .335 batting average and .565 slugging percentage, and led the league with just one strikeout every 15.26 plate appearances, a .409 on-base percentage and 28 intentional walks.
Scherzer and Martinez have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 to accept or decline their qualifying offers. If they decline, the Tigers would get an extra draft pick at the end of the first round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft if they sign with another major-league team.
The team outrighted the contracts of infielder/outfielder Don Kelly and right-hander Even Reed to Triple-A Toledo.
The Tigers also lost two players on waivers.
The Toronto Blue Jays claimed outfielder Andy Dirks, who missed the entire 2014 season after back surgery.
The Baltimore Orioles claimed left-hander Patrick McCoy.
The Tigers also purchased the contract of outfielder Wynton Bernard from Single-A West Michigan.
Bernard, 24, hit .323 with 91 runs scored, 30 doubles, six triples, six home runs and 47 RBI in 131 games with the Whitecaps this past season, earning the Midwest League Most Valuable Player award.
Finally, the Tigers reinstated right-handers Bruce Rondon (right UCL reconstruction), Luke Putkonen (right elbow inflammation) and Drew VerHagen (low back stress fracture), plus shortstop Jose Iglesias (bilateral tibial stress fractures) from the 60-day disabled list.