Balester signed a minor league deal with the Tigers on Friday, Baseball America's Matt Eddy reports.

EDGE Analysis

He pitched in Korea last season but was pitching out of a big league bullpen with the Reds as recently as 2015. His career stats in the majors (5.47 ERA, 1.50 WHIP in 200.2 innings) point to Balester serving as organizational bullpen depth.

Balester (elbow) re-signed with the Pirates on a minor league deal Tuesday which includes an invite to spring training, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Balester, a fourth-round pick in 2004, struggled upon his return from Tommy John surgery last season, going 1-5 with a 8.53 ERA and 2.15 WHIP in 18 appearances between rookie ball and Double-A Altoona. He'll get to make his case for a bullpen spot in spring training, but the right-hander will more than likely end up back in the minors to begin 2015.

Pirates signed RHP Collin Balester to a minor league contract. Balester posted a 7.33 ERA in five starts and one relief appearance with the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate this past season before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery in June. The 27-year-old will be rehabbing until midseason.

Collin Balester underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Monday. Balester signed a minor league deal with the Rangers over the winter and had a 7.33 ERA and 22/9 K/BB ratio in 27 innings across five starts and one relief appearance this season. The 27-year-old will likely be in rehab mode until around midseason next year.

Rangers signed RHP Collin Balester to a minor league contract. He also gets a spring training invite. Balester had a 6.50 ERA in 11 appearances with the Tigers this season before being demoted to the minors and posting a 3.64 ERA and 45/12 K/BB ratio over 47 innings with Triple-A Toledo. He could be in the mix for a bullpen job.

Colin Balester has elected free agency. The 26-year-old right-hander was acquired by the Tigers last offseason in exchange for Ryan Perry, but struggled to the tune of a 6.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 12/11 K/BB ratio over 18 innings before being banished to Triple-A Toledo for the remainder of the season. He shouldn't have a problem securing a spring training invite on the open market.

Tigers sent RHP Collin Balester outright to Triple-A Toledo. Balester cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 25-year-old right-hander will serve as relief depth in the minor leagues.

Tigers designated RHP Collin Balester for assignment. He was cleared to make room for outfielder Quintin Berry on the active roster. Balester, who was acquired from the Nationals during the offseason, has a 6.50 ERA and 12/11 K/BB ratio over 18 innings of work this season. He could draw interest on waivers.

Tigers acquired RHP Collin Balester from the Tigers for RHP Ryan Perry. Balester, 25, posted a 4.54 ERA over 23 relief appearances with the Nationals this past season, despite a very solid 34/14 K/BB ratio over 35 2/3 innings. He has pitched much better since being converted to reliever and should be a nice addition to the middle innings for Detroit.

Nationals recalled RHP Collin Balester from Triple-A Syracuse. Balester has posted a 4.61 ERA and 11/8 K/BB ratio in 13 2/3 innings this season for the Nationals. The righty will function as a long reliever down the stretch.