Tigers Trade Outfielder Malloy to Rays for Cash

The Detroit Tigers traded outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations on Tuesday, ending a period of uncertainty for the 25-year-old prospect after he was designated for assignment more than two weeks earlier.

Malloy, who turns 26 on February 19, had been placed on waivers on December 20 to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for reliever Kyle Finnegan. The move came amid several offseason additions for the Tigers, including the signing of closer Kenley Jansen. The holiday break extended the typical five-day waiver period, leaving Malloy in limbo until the Rays claimed him in the deal. This marks the second trade of Malloy's career; he was originally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the sixth round of the 2021 draft out of Georgia Tech and acquired by Detroit in a 2022 swap that sent reliever Joe Jimenez to Atlanta.

In parts of two major league seasons with the Tigers, Malloy appeared in 123 games, batting .209 with a .311 on-base percentage and .346 slugging percentage. He hit eight home runs in 71 games during 2024 but managed just one homer and 17 RBIs while slashing .221/.346/.308 in 52 games last season. Defensively limited to corner outfield...