Tigers agree on 1-year deal with Lyon, will likely use him as closer

Lyon began his major league career in 2001 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He had nine saves for the Boston Red Sox in 2003 and 14 for the Diamondbacks in 2005, his first of four years with them.

The Tigers also agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander Scott Williamson. He will have a shot at the bullpen if he can approach the form he had in 1999, when he was an All-Star and won the NL Rookie of the Year award while pitching for Cincinnati.

"He said for the first time in years, he's healthy," Dombrowski said.

Williamson had Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery in 2005 and was limited the next season. San Francisco released him early in spring training last year and he went on to pitch in 15 minor league games. He spent his first four-plus seasons with the Reds and pitched for Boston, the Chicago Cubs, San Diego and Baltimore.

Leyland is hoping Williamson can rejuvenate his career with the Tigers.

"Stranger things have happened," he said.