The Tigers announced that they designated left-hander Matt Hoffman for assignment. The move creates 40-man roster space for newly signed catcher Brayan Pena.

Hoffman, 24, spent this past season with the Tigers' Triple-A team. He posted a 3.69 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 46 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in 2012. Hoffman has yet to appear at the MLB level.