Tigers eating $5M salary to release struggling Lowe

The Detroit Tigers have seen enough of Mark Lowe.

Lowe was placed on unconditional release waivers Sunday morning following a miserable spring that saw the right-hander allow seven runs (five earned) off 11 hits and three walks in 8 2/3 innings.

The 33-year-old has certainly struggled since signing a two-year, $11-million deal with the Tigers last offseason. He posted a 7.11 ERA and 1.58 WHIP across 54 appearances in 2016, allowing 12 home runs over 49 1/3 innings.

Lowe is owed $5.5 million in 2017 and will likely clear waivers, making him a free agent, and the Tigers are responsible for paying out his salary.

Prior to landing in Detroit, Lowe was coming off an impressive year split between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays in which he owned a 1.96 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 55 innings, allowing just four home runs.