Tigers Outright Lobstein To Erie; Club Trades Casali To Rays To Retain Rights To Lobstein
DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has outrighted the contract of lefthanded pitcher Kyle Lobstein to Double A Erie. The club has traded catcher Curt Casali to the Tampa Bay Rays to retain the rights to Lobstein, a Rule 5 Draft selection.
Lobstein was selected by the New York Mets from Tampa Bay in the Rule 5 Draft on December 6, 2012, before he was traded to the Tigers organization in exchange for cash considerations following the draft.
Lobstein compiled an 8-7 record with a 4.06 ERA (144.0IP/65ER) and 129 strikeouts in 27 starts with
Double A Montgomery in the Rays organization during the 2012 season. He finished second in the Southern League with 129 strikeouts.
Originally selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, he has posted a 30-30 record, 3.85 ERA (497.2IP/213ER) and 427 strikeouts in 92 outings (91 starts) in four seasons at the minor league level.
Casali saw action with both Single A Lakeland and Single A West Michigan during the 2012 season. He batted .288 (49x170) with 12 doubles, eight home runs and 25 RBI in 48 games with West Michigan. Casali hit .250 (40x160) with 13 doubles, a home run and 18 RBI in 46 games with Lakeland.
Casali's contract will be assigned to Single A Port Charlotte by the Rays.
