Tigers option Enmanuel De Jesus to Triple-A, promote Burch Smith

The Detroit Tigers are swapping relievers.

The roster moves: Left-handed reliever Enmanuel De Jesus has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo, while right-handed reliever Burch Smith has been called up.

Smith, 36, owns a 5.79 ERA across 247⅓ innings in his 152-game MLB career, spanning six seasons with seven teams. The Tigers need to make a 40-man roster move before their game on Wednesday, April 22, thus opening a spot for Smith.

The Tigers made the switch before the second of three games in their series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park.

LAST GAME: Tigers embarrassed by Brewers in 12-4 loss; Jake Rogers throws 1st strikeout

Detroit Tigers pitcher Emmanuel De Jesus (37) throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fifth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix from March 30-April 1, 2026.

In Tuesday's 12-4 loss, De Jesus imploded in the seventh and eighth innings. The 29-year-old allowed seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks with one strikeout over 1⅓ innings, throwing 49 pitches.

This season, De Jesus registered a 10.13 ERA across eight innings in six games.

The Tigers optioned him for performance reasons.

Meanwhile, Smith has been dominating at the Triple-A level. He posted a 1.80 ERA with zero walks and 16 strikeouts across 10 innings in eight games for the Mud Hens.