DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers sent 19 players to their alternate training site in Toledo on Monday, leaving 37 players to battle for 30 Opening Day roster spots.
READ: How will the Tigers fill their final rotation spots after the Jordan Zimmermann injury?
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Monday’s cuts
Here are the players the Tigers sent to Toledo after the final intrasquad game:
- RP Tim Adleman
- SS Sergio Alcantara
- RP Nolan Blackwood
- OF Travis Demeritte
- C Dillon Dingler
- SP Alex Faedo
- OF Riley Greene
- C Eric Haase
- RP Zack Hess
- RP Alex Lange
- SP Matt Manning
- SP Casey Mize
- 3B Isaac Paredes
- SP Franklin Perez
- C Brady Policelli
- C Jake Rogers
- RP Hector Santiago
- 1B Frank Schwindel
- 3B Spencer Torkelson
The most significant names on the list in terms of the competition for the opening day roster are Haase, Rogers, Blackwood and Demeritte.
Mize figured to have an outside chance to make the starting rotation, but it never really seemed like a consideration. You can read more about that here.
Haase and Rogers were fighting for what figured to be two or three catcher spots on the roster. It turns out the Tigers will stick with just a starter and a backup, with Haase on the traveling taxi squad and Rogers workout out in Toledo.
Demeritte didn’t have much of a chance to join the outfield mix after missing most of summer camp with an injury, but he was a standout during spring training in March.
Manager Ron Gardenhire praised Blackwood’s unusual sidearm delivery throughout summer camp, and the young prospect performed well, so his demotion was a bit of a surprise.
Injured players
Considering Tarik Skubal and Daz Cameron weren’t participating in summer camp due to injury, that leaves 39 players. Daniel Norris hasn’t returned since his positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test and Jordan Zimmermann went on the 45-day injured list.
That means 37 players will head to Cincinnati for Detroit’s two exhibition games before the season officially begins Friday against the Reds.
Detroit has to finalize the 30-man Opening Day roster by noon Wednesday.
Locks
Listen, you can never be 100% sure in baseball, but these 24 players are certain to be included in the 30-man roster as long as they’re healthy.
- Starting pitchers (5): Matt Boyd, Spencer Turnbull, Michael Fulmer, Tyler Alexander, Michael Fulmer
- Starting lineup (9): C Austin Romine, 1B C.J. Cron, 2B Jonathan Schoop, 3B Jeimer Candelario, SS Niko Goodrum, OF Christin Stewart, OF JaCoby Jones, OF Cameron Maybin, DH Miguel Cabrera
- Relief pitchers (7): Joe Jimenez, Buck Farmer, Jose Cisnero, Gregory Soto, Rony Garcia, Bryan Garcia, David McKay
- Reserves (3): Grayson Greiner, Victor Reyes, Harold Castro
There’s a chance Alexander isn’t the one who will fill Zimmermann’s spot in the starting rotation, but even if he’s not a starter, he’ll be on the roster as a reliever.
Final six spots
There are 24 locks above and 13 players left on the list. That means seven of these 13 players will also be sent to Toledo or the taxi squad, while six make the roster.
- Dario Agrazal
- Jorge Bonifacio
- Beau Burrows
- Anthony Castro
- Willi Castro
- Shao-Ching Chiang
- Brandon Dixon
- Kyle Funkhouser
- Derek Hill
- Dawel Lugo
- Jordy Mercer
- Nick Ramirez
- John Schreiber
Based on what Tigers officials have said during the intrasquad game broadcasts, there will be either 11 or 12 pitchers in the bullpen. Let’s assume it’s 11, leaving four bullpen spots and two reserve spots open.
Four of Agrazal, Anthony Castro, Burrows, Chiang, Funkhouser, Ramirez and Schreiber will make the bullpen.
Two of Bonifacio, Willi Castro, Dixon, Hill, Lugo and Mercer will be on the bench.