The Detroit Tigers have signed eight-year veteran infielder Kevin Newman to a minor league deal, according to Detroit News’ Chris McCosky.
Newman was released by the Angels on August 2, after hitting .202 across 56 games for Los Angeles.
Newman has joined the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate in Toledo and is starting at shortstop tonight, batting sixth.
Who is Kevin Newman?
Newman was a first round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of Arizona.
The Arizona product made his major league debut in 2018 and played for the Pirates for five years. His most productive season came in 2019, his first full season, when he hit .308 with an .800 OPS. Newman hit 12 home runs and collected 64 RBI that season, and had a WAR of three.
For the last three years, Newman has spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and Angels before the Tigers signed him on Saturday.
Newman’s 2024 season was his best year since 2019. The veteran infielder hit .274 with a .686 OPS, Newman hit three home runs and collected 28 RBI.
KEVIN NEWMAN JUST DEMOLISHED A DEGROM SLIDER ðŸ˜
pic.twitter.com/52DOxklFKc— SleeperAngels (@SleeperAngels) July 29, 2025
The newest Tiger brings versatility to the infield, playing shortstop, second and third base. For the time being, Newman is with the Mud Hens at Triple-A, but he could provide a veteran presence to a young Tigers’ squad as the postseason gets closer.
The Tigers are a young team on the rise, but lack some postseason experience. Detroit made the playoffs last year, but that was the first time in 10 years. The Tigers have the majority of their roster under the age of 30.
Newman may not be an electric bat to add to the lineup, but the eight-year veteran could be a calming presence for the Tigers’ postseason run.
