Wentz finds his new home after being designated for assignment Friday. The left-hander will provide organizational depth for the Pirates, but could be a factor in the Pittsburgh bullpen during the 2025 campaign.

This is a tough blow for Wentz, who left Thursday’s game after taking a comebacker to the right knee. Wentz was seen writhing in pain before leaving the mound under his own power, which suggests he avoided a serious injury. He’s been booted off the Tigers’ 40-man roster in what will likely be the corresponding move for the club to activate Casey Mize to start Friday against the Red Sox.

Wentz will undergo some additional evaluation and treatment, but it sounds like he didn’t suffer a serious injury. There should be an update on his status at some point in the coming days. The 26-year-old lefty has been pitching in low-leverage spots for Detroit for the last few months.

Wentz has been mentioned as a DFA possibility on occasion in recent weeks, and one good outing in a blowout won’t help the cause overly much. A full-time reliever for the first time, he has a 5.22 ERA and a 55/26 K/BB in 50 innings, most of them coming in low-leverage situations.