TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS ON ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH BRANDON LYON
Scott Williamson Signed to Minor League Deal, Invited to Major League Camp
DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with righthanded pitcher Brandon Lyon. Additionally, the Tigers designated the contract of righthanded pitcher Eddie Bonine for assignment and agreed to terms on a minor league contract with righthanded pitcher Scott Williamson. Williamson received an invitation to major league camp.
Lyon saw action in 61 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2008 season, posting a 3-5 record, 4.70 ERA (59.1IP/31ER) and 26 saves. He fanned 44 batters for the Diamondbacks last season, while issuing only 13 walks.
“Brandon Lyon is a proven reliever at the major league level,” Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said. “Brandon will compete for the closer’s role this spring and we expect him to play a significant role on our pitching staff in the late innings.”
In seven seasons at the major league level with the Toronto Blue Jays (2001-02), Boston Red Sox (2003) and Diamondbacks (2005-08), he has compiled a 21-29 record, 4.46 ERA (416.0IP/206ER) and 51 saves in 309 appearances. Since the start of the 2005 season, Lyon was 12th among all National League relievers with 2.60 walks per nine innings. Lyon saw action in five games during the post-season with the Diamondbacks in 2007, fanning five batters in six scoreless innings of relief.
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