Whelan signed a minor league contract with the Athletics on Saturday, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports.

Whelan pitched in one game with the Tigers last season, allowing two runs on three hits over 1.1 innings. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Toledo, where he put up some good numbers witha 2.70 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 43.1 innings, but was also used as a closer and converted 20 saves. The contract could include an invite to spring training, but the report doesn't indicate whether or not that is the case.

Whelan cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, James Schmehl of MLive.com reports.

Whelan will act as depth to a bullpen that has endured its share of strife this season. In 37 appearances at Toledo, he's racked up 20 saves with a 2.45 ERA, 1.147 WHIP, and 49:18 K:BB in 40.1 innings.

Whelan has been designated for assignment.

The move frees up a 40-man roster spot for Jim Johnson, while the Tigers will likely outright Whelan to Toledo and keep him with their Triple-A affiliate if he passes through waivers.

Whelan was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday.

Whelan was added to the MLB squad prior to Monday's series opener with the Pirates, after the bullpen had been heavily taxed in recent games. The 30-year-old surrendered two runs over 1.1 innings in his Tigers debut, giving the team little reason to keep him around much longer. Buck Farmer was recalled from Double-A Erie to start Wednesday's game and take Whelan's spot on the active roster.

The Tigers called up Whelan from Triple-A Toledo following Sunday's game, John Wagner of The Toledo Blade reports.

Whelan was a minor league free agent looking for a team this offseason, but he earned his second trip to the majors by posting a 1.85 ERA and 48:16 K:BB ratio over 39 innings out of Toledo's bullpen. Whelan served as the closer for Toledo, but he will likely pitch in middle relief with the big club.

Tigers signed RHP Kevin Whelan to a minor league contract.

Whelan was a former top prospect of the Tigers, selected in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, then dealt to the Yankees in the Gary Sheffield trade. He posted a 4.97 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 73/33 K/BB ratio over 50 2/3 innings at Triple-A Louisville in 2013, and will represent organizational bullpen depth for the Tigers.

Reds signed RHP Kevin Whelan to a minor league contract.

Whelan posted a 3.55 ERA with 36 strikeouts over 25 1/3 frames this past season at Triple-A for the Yankees, but his control problems (16 walks) continued. He'll represent minor league depth.

Yankees sent RHP Kevin Whelan outright to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Whelan was designated for assignment last week and drew no interest on waivers. The 28-year-old right-hander had a 2.75 ERA in 52 1/3 minor league innings last year.

Yankees designated RHP Kevin Whelan for assignment.

He was cleared to make room for the newly-signed Hiroki Kuroda on the 40-man roster. Whelan made two appearances with the Yankees last season, but spent the majority of the year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posting a 54/14 K/BB ratio over 52 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old could draw some interest on waivers.

Yankees optioned RHP Kevin Whelan to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Whelan spent a little under a week with the big league Yanks, allowing one earned run in two relief appearances. He should be back up later this season.