The Colorado Rockies have returned right-handed pitcher RJ Petit to the Detroit Tigers, the club announced Wednesday. Petit, who wore number 58 for Colorado, had been selected by the Rockies in the Rule 5 draft last December.
The 24-year-old reliever appeared in Cactus League games for Colorado this spring, including a workout at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona, on February 12. Under Rule 5 regulations, a player selected in the draft must remain on the selecting team's active roster for the entire season or be offered back to his original club for $50,000.
Petit originally signed with the Tigers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He posted a 3.48 ERA across 41.1 innings between High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie last season, striking out 52 batters. The Tigers will now retain his rights as he returns to their organization.
