Danny Worth

Daniel Weston Worth (born September 30, 1985) is an American professional baseball infielder who is currently a SK Wyverns. He previously played for the Detroit Tigers.

Primarily a shortstop, Worth has also played second base and third base in the major and minor leagues.

Early career

Worth was born in Northridge, California and attended Valencia High School in Valencia, California.^[1] He went on to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he was a member of the baseball team.^[2] Worth was named a preseason All American during his junior season and was also named a West Coast Conference All Star.

Worth was drafted by the Tigers in the second round (91st overall) of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft.^[1] He played in the minor leagues for the Lakeland Flying Tigers (A), the Erie SeaWolves (AA), and the Toledo Mud Hens (AAA). He was named the 8th best prospect in the Tigers system for the 2008 season by Baseball America.^[3] The same publication also listed him as the best defensive infielder.^[3]

Major League career

Worth was called up on May 16, 2010.^[4] He appeared in his first Major League game that afternoon, replacing Scott Sizemore at second base when the Tigers sent Sizemore down to Triple-A. In his first major league at-bat Worth hit an infield single with the bases loaded and two outs, picking up his first major league hit and RBI.^[5] He was called up again on June 6 to replace Adam Everett in the lineup, who was designated for assignment on that date.^[6] Worth ultimately appeared in 39 games, mostly at shortstop.^[7]

Worth hit his first major league home run on July 7, 2010, against the Baltimore Orioles.^[8]

Worth entered the 2011 season as a candidate for playing time as a utility infielder. He ultimately appeared in 30 games at the major league level, often appearing as a defensive replacement at second or third base.^[9]

In 2012, Worth entered spring as a candidate for a utility infielder job, and made the opening day roster for the first time in his career.^[10] On April 13, he was optioned to the Toledo Mud Hens when Brandon Inge returned from the disabled list. Worth was recalled on April 28 when Delmon Young was placed on the restricted list.^[11]

Worth was the last player cut from the Tigers' roster at the end of spring training in 2013. He was optioned to the Mud Hens.^[12]

On December 13, 2013, the Tigers designated Worth for assignment after the signing of pitcher Joba Chamberlain.^[13] He cleared waivers on December 16 and was assigned to AAA Toledo.^[14] His contract was purchased by the Tigers on April 20, 2014 to replace Álex González, who was released.^[15]

On May 22, 2014, the Tigers were trailing the Texas Rangers 9–2 after eight innings when Worth entered the game as a pitcher for the first time in his career. Using mainly knuckleballs, Worth allowed one hit and struck out two to retire the side in the top of the ninth inning. He became the first Tiger position player to pitch a full inning since Mark Koenig in 1931.^[16][17]

Worth was designated for assignment by the Tigers on June 4, allowing the Tigers to bring up Eugenio Suárez from Triple-A Toledo.^[18] He cleared waivers and was sent to Triple-A Toledo on June 6.^[19] Worth elected free agency on October 12, 2014.^[20]

On December 15, 2014, he signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.^[21] He joined the Houston Astros for the 2016 season, signing a minor league contract on January 26.^[22]

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)