Detroit Tigers Appear To Be Set With Opening Day Roster
By Matt Snyder
The Detroit Tigers have appeared to set their opening day roster with 25 active players remaining in spring camp.
The Detroit Tigers might have made their final roster move of Spring Training today by assigning relief pitcher Lendy Castillo to minor league camp.
George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press reported the move and implication on Twitter.
Lendy Castillo has been assigned to minor league camp.
— George Sipple ☕️ (@GeorgeSipple) April 1, 2016
Barring something unforeseen the #tigers roster is now set and RHP Logan Kensing is on it.
— George Sipple ☕️ (@GeorgeSipple) April 1, 2016
This roster move puts the Tigers camp headcount at 31, but six players will be starting the season on the disabled list. That list comprises Cameron Maybin, Daniel Norris, Alex Wilson, Blaine Hardy, Angel Nesbitt, and Jeff Ferrell.
That means, barring a late acquisition, the Tigers are set with their 25-man opening day roster. Logan Kensing, as a non-roster invitee, will have to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of the season, but the Tigers have room to add him without having to designate anyone for assignment.
Jason Beck of MLB.com passed along this interesting note about the final player to (apparently) win a roster spot.
Logan Kensing made Marlins Opening Day roster in 2008 and 2009. Seven years and eight organizations later, he'll open season with Tigers.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) April 1, 2016
So, assuming no further transactions, here are the names that will open the season on the Detroit Tigers’ major league roster.
Catchers
First Base / DH
- Miguel Cabrera (R)
- Victor Martinez (S)
Infield
- Ian Kinsler (R)
- Nick Castellanos (R)
- Jose Iglesias (R)
- Mike Aviles (R)
- Andrew Romine (S)
Outfield
- J.D. Martinez (R)
- Justin Upton (R)
- Anthony Gose (L)
- Tyler Collins (L)
Starting Pitchers
- Justin Verlander (R)
- Jordan Zimmermann (R)
- Anibal Sanchez (R)
- Mike Pelfrey (R)
- Shane Greene (R)
Relief Pitchers
- Francisco Rodriguez (R)
- Mark Lowe (R)
- Justin Wilson (L)
- Kyle Ryan (L)
- Buck Farmer (R)
- Drew VerHagen (R)
- Logan Kensing (R)
Next: Detroit Tigers All-Time 25-Man Roster
This list could change in relatively short order as three of the Tigers’ disabled listed players could return in April. Collins will be the likely casualty when Maybin is healthy, and Kensing could find himself out of a job when Alex Wilson returns from shoulder soreness.
Blaine Hardy could also join the bullpen mix, but it’s not a guarantee that he’d be given Kyle Ryan‘s spot as the second lefty. Hardy might have to re-prove himself in the minor leagues (depending on Ryan’s performance as well).