Sioux Falls, SD – Sioux Falls Canaries Left-Handed Relief Pitcher Josh Kite was signed on Friday by the Detroit Tigers organization. Kite is the second Canaries pitcher and the eighth player in the American Association to be picked up this season. The list includes Grand Prairie AirHogs pitcher Scot Drucker, who was also signed by the Detroit Tigers on Friday.

“Josh battled back from injuries to prove that he still has what it takes to be a successful pitcher,” noted Canaries Interim Manager and Pitching Coach Mike Meyer. “He has worked very hard to earn this opportunity, and everyone in the organization is thrilled that he is getting this chance.”

Kite missed the 2007 season after undergoing shoulder surgery, but has come back to have a strong season for the Canaries. In 21 appearances for the Canaries this season, Kite is 1-1 with one save and a 2.31 ERA. In 23.1 innings, Kite has struck out 26 batters while walking only eight. Kite struggled out of the gate this year giving up five earned runs in his first two outings. However in 19 appearances since then he has allowed just one run on 12 hits. Kite had shutout opponents in his last 12 innings of work prior to being picked up by the Tigers.

Kite is the second Canaries player to be picked up this season. On May 19, the Canaries sold Right-Handed Pitcher Javier Garcia to the Boston Red Sox organization. Garcia is 2-1 with two saves for the Greenville Drive in the Single-A South Atlantic League. After Garcia was picked up, it was Kite that moved into his role as the Canaries set-up man.

The First Half North Division Champion Sioux Falls Canaries will host 2008 American Association Playoff Games on Monday, August 25 and Tuesday, August 26. To purchase your Canaries playoff tickets call (605) 333-0179.