The Tigers have fielded a diverse roster of players from all over the world, especially over the last 20 years, but they¡¯ve never had a Nicaraguan-born player. That could change this year if Erasmo Ramírez makes Detroit¡¯s pitching staff.

The Tigers added to their pitching depth on Tuesday by signing Ram¨ªrez to a Minor League contract that includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training. The well-traveled right-hander will compete for a spot in big league camp, but could also serve as in-season help if he doesn¡¯t make the Opening Day roster.

Ram¨ªrez fills a need for a Tigers team looking for pitchers who can cover innings as new manager A.J. Hinch tries to stretch pitchers¡¯ workloads from last year¡¯s 60-game schedule to a 162-game season without risking major injuries. Ram¨ªrez has been a starter for most of his nine-year Major League career, including an 11-win season for the Rays in 2015, but has worked out of the bullpen the last two seasons.

After one long relief appearance with the Red Sox in 2019, Ram¨ªrez spent last September working out of the bullpen with the Mets, tossing 14 1/3 innings with one run on eight hits, four walks and nine strikeouts. He covered five solid innings against the Phillies on Sept. 7, then picked up a three-inning save four days later against the Blue Jays.

Ram¨ªrez no longer boasts a mid-90s fastball in his arsenal, but succeeded last year on his sinker-cutter combination, comprising about 79 percent of his pitches thrown. He yielded a hard-hit rate of 40 percent and a 91.1 mph average exit velocity, but opponents hit just .163 against him.

The Tigers have had a binge of Minor League signings in recent weeks, but most have not included invites to big league camp. Former Tigers lefty reliever Ian Krol received a Major League invite, but Robbie Ross Jr., Andrew Moore, Miguel Del Pozo, Henry Martinez, Locke St. John and Yunior Perez did not. Former Marlins starter Jos¨¦ Ure?a signed a Major League contract and is expected to fill a spot in Detroit¡¯s rotation.