Less than an hour after being assigned to the Detroit Tigers' Triple-A affiliate Toledo Mud Hens, catcher Omir Santos has refused the assignment, instead opting to become a free agent.
Omir Santos has refused his assignment to Toledo and has elected his free agency. #tigers
— Brian Britten (@BBritten_Tigers) June 8, 2012
A player is able to refuse minor league assignment depending on his service time and contract status. According to MLive.com, Santos had the choice because he had been outrighted once before.
Since Santos has been outrighted to the minor leagues once in the past after being designated for assignment, he had the option of accepting the assignment in Toledo or becoming a free agent. He chose the latter.
Santos went one-for-eight (.125) at the plate in three games registering one RBI while with the Tigers.
For more on the Detroit Tigers, head over to Bless You Boys. More news and analysis on Major League Baseball in general can be found over at Baseball Nation.