Josh Kauten to Lakeland; Luke French to Join 'Caps

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The Detroit Tigers announced today that West Michigan Whitecaps pitcher Josh Kauten has been promoted to the Lakeland Tigers of the Florida State League. The Tigers also announced that Whitecaps pitcher Matt Righter has been placed on the disabled list effective immediately, and pitcher Luke French has been assigned to West Michigan.

Kauten was in the Whitecaps rotation from the beginning of the season with the exception of a six week stint on the disabled list. Kauten was on the DL from May 18 to July 1 with a strained muscle in his side. He holds a 4-3 record with a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts for the 'Caps this season.

French joins the Whitecaps from the Gulf Coast League Tigers, where he pitched two games in for the rookie-league affiliate. French began the year with the short-season GCL Tigers but was promoted to the advanced-A Lakeland Tigers after just one start. The lefthander started four games in Lakeland and compiled a 3-1 record while going more than five innings in each appearance and earning a 4.43 ERA. French was selected by the Tigers in the eighth round of the 2004 draft out of Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado and spent the entire 2004 season with the GCL Tigers.

The Whitecaps roster remains at 25 active players.