Detroit Tigers fans hoping to see Quintin Berry back in the majors, clapping his hands after an infield single, had their hopes dashed Sunday morning.
The Tigers announced a minor trade, reacquiring minor-league third baseman Francisco Martinez from the Seattle Mariners for cash or a player to be named later, but the key part of the move was the next step. To put Martinez on the 40-man roster, they designated Berry for assignment. That means any team can claim him on waivers. If he clears waivers, he could return to Triple-A Toledo but would have to be added to the 40-man roster to return to the Tigers.
Berry is hitting .168 in Toledo this season with very little power. He still draws a decent number of walks and steals bases, but he hasn't done enough to knock Don Kelly out of his spot as Detroit's 25th man.
Martinez, sent to Seattle in the Doug Fister trade, is hitting an empty .206 for Double-A Jackson this season. He has been assigned to Single-A Lakeland by the Tigers.
