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Matt Mantei | Relief Pitcher

Team: Detroit Tigers
Age / DOB:  (39) / 7/7/1973
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 205
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
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Recent News

Tigers released RHP Matt Mantei.
Mantei informed the team of his plans to retire this morning. The 34-year-old former closer was attempting a comeback this spring, but his shoulder began bothering him in just his second appearance back. If this is it, he finishes his career with 93 saves, a 4.07 ERA and 396 strikeouts in 322 2/3 innings. Tue, Mar 4, 2008 01:14:00 PM

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Date:
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei may head back into retirement after coming down with a sore shoulder in his second appearance Sunday,

That's the rumor in Tigers camp anyway. Mantei has yet to talk about his situation. The 34-year-old was attemping a comeback this spring after nearly two years off.
Source: Booth Newspapers
Mon, Mar 3, 2008 01:27:00 PM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei took the loss in relief for the Tigers on Sunday after allowing two runs in his inning of work.

He gave up two hits, walked one and struck out none. Mantei walked two Thursday in his spring debut, though he managed a scoreless inning that time out. He'll need to throw more strikes if he hopes to make the Tigers.
Sun, Mar 2, 2008 04:01:00 PM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei walked two before finishing off a scoreless inning Thursday in the Tigers' 4-1 victory over the Jays.

Unless Reed Johnson counts, the Jays didn't bring a single regular with them. Mantei faced Chip Cannon, Travis Snider, Johnson, John McDonald and Marco Scutaro before calling it a day in his first game appearance since May 2006. Snider and McDonald drew the walks.
Thu, Feb 28, 2008 05:46:00 PM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei threw against live hitters Sunday for the first time in nearly two years.

Brandon Inge stood in the batter's box against Mantei and said afterward that his stuff was "nasty" and good "as I've seen in a long time." Mantei is trying to win a spot in the Tigers' bullpen after signing a minor league deal last month.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Mon, Feb 25, 2008 09:51:00 AM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei took a minor league deal from the Tigers after throwing a bullpen session for the club Friday.

Mantei will earn the major league minimum if he makes the team. "He shook [GM Dave Dombrowski's] hand and said, ‘Pay me what you want to. The minimum’s fine with me,’" said Bob Garber, Mantei’s agent. "He just wanted the opportunity. He’s not out to get rich this year." The deal will include an out clause, allowing Mantei to leave the organization at the end of April if he hasn't been promoted to the majors.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Fri, Jan 11, 2008 03:55:00 PM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Free agent Matt Mantei will throw for the Tigers on Friday and is hoping to be offered a minor league contract.

This has been lined up for about 2 1/2 months now. "So far, so good," Mantei said. "I’ve been going four or five days a week. I feel great. I’m at about 85-90%, which is what Dave (Dombrowski) wanted." Mantei last pitched in the majors with the Red Sox in 2005.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Wed, Jan 9, 2008 01:24:00 PM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei will throw a bullpen session for the Tigers in January and hopes to be offered a contract with the team.

"I'll play for the minimum," Mantei said. "I just really want to play again. I want to get another ring." Mantei, 34, has not pitched in the major leagues since July 1, 2005. He has undergone two shoulder surgeries and a painful elbow ligament-replacement since his days as one of the top closers in baseball.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Thu, Nov 1, 2007 10:19:00 AM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

The Tigers released Matt Mantei from Triple-A Toledo.

The oft-injured right-hander has been trying to make one last comeback, but was considering retirement even before signing on with Detroit. He had already spent time on the disabled list at Triple-A with shoulder and oblique injuries.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Fri, May 26, 2006 09:45:00 AM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei was placed on Triple-A Toledo's disabled list with a sore right shoulder.

More pain for Mantei. He had allowed just an unearned run over five innings since returning from a strained left oblique.
Source: Tigers.mlb.com
Sat, May 6, 2006 08:23:00 PM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

The Tigers are expected to decide within the next 10 days whether or not to promote Matt Mantei from Triple-A.

Mantei originally considered retirement, but opted to give it one last try with the Tigers. Detroit's bullpen has been pretty solid, so it wouldn't be shocking if the Tigers declined to bring him up.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Sat, Apr 29, 2006 10:00:00 AM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei, who went home from spring training and considered retirement after pulling a side muscle, has signed a minor league contract with the Tigers.

He'll initially report to Lakeland before joining Triple-A. Mantei posted a 6.55 ERA with the Red Sox last season and has spent more time on the disabled list than on the active roster in his 11-season career.
Source: Detroit News
Sun, Apr 9, 2006 08:19:00 AM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Matt Mantei, who was released by the Tigers on Friday, intends to pitch again and hopes it will be with Detroit.

The club is leaving the door open for him. Before attempting another comeback, Mantei will likely wait a few weeks and allow his strained oblique to heal completely.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Sat, Mar 18, 2006 03:22:00 PM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Tigers released RHP Matt Mantei.

He shouldn't have trouble landing another minor league deal, but retirement might be next for the 32-year-old Mantei. He suffered a strained oblique on March 7 and isn't yet ready to pitch.
Fri, Mar 17, 2006 03:48:00 PM
Matt Mantei - R - Tigers

Manager Jim Leyland said Thursday that Matt Mantei's strained oblique muscle will likely keep him from competing for a bullpen job.

Even if Mantei recovers fairly soon, Leyland doesn't think he'll have enough time to impress the coaching staff before they break camp. Mantei has said he will choose retirement if he doesn't make the team, and that's what looks likely.
Source: Detroit News
Fri, Mar 10, 2006 10:15:00 AM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Alex Avila
2Brayan Peña
1B1Prince Fielder
2B1Omar Infante
2Ramon Santiago
SS1Jhonny Peralta
3B1Miguel Cabrera
LF1Andy Dirks
2Matt Tuiasosopo
CF1Austin Jackson
2Avisail Garcia
3Don Kelly
RF1Torii Hunter
DH1Victor Martinez
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Justin Verlander
2Max Scherzer
3Doug Fister
4Anibal Sanchez
5Rick Porcello
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Jose Valverde
2Joaquin Benoit
3Phil Coke
4Octavio Dotel
5Luke Putkonen
6Darin Downs
7Drew Smyly
8Jose Ortega