BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 21: Manger A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during batting practice prior to a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 21, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) – The Detroit Tigers and infielder Gio Urshela reached an agreement on Thursday for a one-year contract worth $1.5 million, signaling potential competition at third base alongside Zach McKinstry, Matt Vierling, and Andy Ibañez.
Urshela stands to earn up to $500,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances, with increments of $100,000 for every 30 additional plate appearances beyond 500, up to 620.
The 32-year-old Colombian, who batted .299 with two home runs and 24 RBIs in 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels last season, was acquired from Minnesota in November 2022. His versatility was evident as he played various positions, including 37 games at third base, 22 at first, nine at shortstop, and one elsewhere.
Urshela’s season was marred by a left pelvis injury sustained last June 15, which occurred as he fell awkwardly while running to first base. He entered last season’s play with an $8.4 million salary in his final arbitration-eligible year.
Throughout his eight-year career with Cleveland (2015, ’17), Toronto (2018), the New York Yankees (2019-21), Minnesota (2022), and the Angels, Urshela has maintained a .277 batting average with 64 home runs and 280 RBIs.
In a corresponding move, the Tigers designated outfielder T.J. Hopkins for assignment to create space for Urshela on the 40-man roster. Hopkins, 27, debuted in the majors last season with the Cincinnati Reds, recording a .171 batting average with one RBI in 25 games.
In the image, we see Gio Urshela, wearing jersey number 10 for the Los Angeles Angels, swinging his bat during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Anaheim, California. The photo was taken on April 8, 2023, by Ashley Landis. Urshela, the third baseman, has recently agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, February 22, 2024. Last season, Urshela delivered a .299 batting average with two home runs and 24 RBIs over 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels.
