Hot- Stove

The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a minor league contract with pitcher Freddy Garcia and have promoted Dontrelle Willis to Triple-A Toledo.

Garcia had been a free agent since he pitched for Philadelphia in 2007. The right-hander previously pitched for the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners.

Willis, sent to Class-A Lakeland in June to work on his control, is scheduled to pitch Friday for the Mud Hens. In five major league games and 11 1-3 innings this season, Willis is 0-1 with a 10.32 ERA.

The Tigers have about three weeks to decide how seriously they plan to pursue free agent right-hander Freddy Garcia. Garcia will likely throw for scouts between July 20 and 24, according to his agent, Peter Greenberg. By then, Greenberg hopes Garcia will be up to 100% strength. Garcia is currently working out in Miami and throwing off a mound at about 80% intensity, as he continues rehabilitating from shoulder surgery. Greenberg said in an e-mail that Garcia is throwing only fastballs and changeups now, but that curveballs could be added within the next week. — Detroit Free Press