And Not a Moment Too Soon

The Francisco Cruceta Saga began to feel like The Curious Case of Sidd Finch. Yeah, the guy has a rep for throwing cheese, but has anyone, you know, seen him pitch?

The answer to that soon will be “yes” — and it will be the Tigers who do the watchin’ after Cruceta’s visa problems have been resolved.

After waiting about two months for Francisco Cruceta to arrive, the Tigers received news on Wednesday that the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services has approved his application for a visa to work in the States. Cruceta will be free to pick up his visa on Thursday and then travel from his native Dominican Republic to the U.S., finally ending a saga that ran through Spring Training and into the regular season.

Once Cruceta reports to the Tigers’ Spring Training complex in Lakeland, Fla., Detroit will have 30 days to evaluate him before he must be either placed on the 25-man roster, sent to the Minors or moved. Because he’s out of Minor League options, he would have to be designated for assignment and clear waivers in order to be sent to the Minors.

If this guy works out as the Tigers hope, could it mean the departure of Jason Grilli?

Yes, I’m getting ahead of myself.