Where the Tigers’ roster stands now after latest round of cuts
It’s on the wire.
After six weeks of spring training, the last roster spot on the Detroit Tigers’ opening day roster could amount to the same fight many foresaw in January: Will the Tigers carry left-handed outfielder Akil Baddoo or left-handed outfielder? Kerry Zimmerman?
Of course, there’s still a chance they’ll carry both. And there are a few other long-term scenarios below.
But most of the squad is becoming clearer after a series of moves and announcements on Friday.
The Tigers open the season March 30 against the Tampa Bays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Here’s what we know now.
position players
outfielders Austin Meadows, Riley Greene and Matt Vierling; batsman-designate Miguel Cabrera; infielders Spencer Torkelson, Jonathan Schoop, Javier Baez and Nick Maton; and catchers Eric Haase and Jake Rogers have secure jobs.
Tigers manager AJ Hinch told reporters in Florida on Friday that catcher Andrew Knapp, Michael Papierski, officially still in the camp, will not make it into the team. Additionally, infielder Tyler Nevin missed too much of camp with an oblique injury to run for the job.
That leaves six players in camp battling for three remaining spots: outfielders Akil Baddoo, Kerry Carpenter and Jonathan Davis; and infielders Cesar Hernandez, Ryan Kreidler and Zack Short.
Davis and Short are considered longer recordings. Hernandez could find out as early as Saturday that he’s been included in the team.
There’s still a chance the Tigers will carry both Baddoo and Carpenter, although it’s more likely that just one of the two will make the bat. This will probably be the last fight to be seen on the track.
pitchers
Hinch confirmed left-hander Joey Wentz will take Michael Lorenzen’s place in the rotation as he begins the season on the injured list with a groin injury.
The other four starters in the rotation are Eduardo Rodriguez, Matthew Boyd, Spencer Turnbull and Matt Manning.
Alex Lange, Jose Cisnero, Jason Foley and left Tyler Alexander are believed to have reasonably secure spots in the bullpen.
That leaves four spots and eight pitchers in camp: right-handers Mason Englert, Beau Brieske, Garrett Hill, Trey Wingenter and Matt Wisler; and left-handers Jace Fry, Tyler Holton and Chasen Shreve.
Englert, a Rule 5 pick who must return to the Texas Rangers if he doesn’t make it to the club, looks all but certain of winning a spot.
Wingenter has put up a strong case this spring while Wisler has struggled.
The Tigers are also likely to take on at least one of the remaining leftists. Chasen Shreve has shown the best of this group this spring.
last minute changes
Don’t forget that the waiver wire will be filled with players by opening day, so there’s always a chance the Tigers will snag someone else from another club in the final few days.
Hinch has indicated the roster won’t be formally finalized until next week.