The Tigers finally made a move to improve the bullpen, acquiring Astros closer Jose Veras for Danny Vasquez and a player to be named later.  This could be a great move for the Tigers as they add a solid reliever without having to get up a top prospect.

Veras record on the season is 0-4 with 19 saves in 23 opportunities.  He also has an ERA of 2.93, WHIP 1.00 and 44 K’s in 43 innings.  With Joaquin Benoit locking down the closers role it is likely that Veras and Drew Smyly will be the set-up men going forward.

General Manager Dave Dombrowski had this to say about Veras:

We are pleased to add an experienced arm to our bullpen.  Jose can pitch in a variety of roles, provides depth in the bullpen, and complements the roles of Joaquin Benoit and Drew Smyly.

As for Danny Vasquez, he is a 19-year-old who was playing in Single-A with the West Michigan Whitecaps.  In 96 games Vasquez is hitting .281 with five home runs and 39 RBI’s.  Vasquez was considered to be the sixth best prospect in the Tigers system, but was considered at least three years away from making it to the big club.

This also allows Jim Leyland to use guys like Al Albuquerque, Bruce Rondon and Luke Putkonen in specific situations while keeping Phil Coke as the lefty specialist.  The addition of one arm should be able to solidify the bullpen going forward, but is Dave Dombrowski done making moves?

For one, Jeremy Bonderman, yes that Jeremy Bonderman, has pitched 7 innings so far down in Toledo, giving up one hit and five strikeouts.  Bonderman could be another option to make it to Detroit when the rosters expand in September 1.

Now down in Lakeland good news has come in the form of Octavio Dotel.  Dotel injured his elbow in April and was considered to be finished, now may be back this season after all.  He has been throwing off a mound and has suffered no setbacks.  Dotel will also be throwing batting practice later on this week.

Speaking of setbacks, Omar Infante had a setback on his left ankle injury while playing for West Michigan Whitecaps on Thursday night.  Infante thinks he tried to rush himself back into the lineup and is now out for an undisclosed amount of time.

Between Infante’s injury and the on going Biogenesis scandal, the Tigers could be in the market for a middle infielder from the sure-gloved, weak-hitting Brandon Ryan to the aging veteran Marco Scutaro.  Dombrowski said he is currently not in the market for a middle infielder but time will tell if he has to change his mind before 4 pm on Wednesday.

So Tigers fans, will DD make another deal before Wednesday at 4 or will all additions come from within?  Let us know at DetroitSportsBloggers.com or on Facebook and Twitter.