Detroit Tigers Make Another Round of Spring Training Roster Cuts

Mar 2, 2014; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Jordan Lennerton (28) catches the ball against the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

And thus ends the “Justin Miller could win a bullpen spot talk” that crept into our conversations at the beginning of spring. He was actually having a pretty good spring – he struck out 24% of the batters he faced and kept the walks reasonable at 8% – but he got hit around a little bit and ended up with a 5.40 ERA.

I’m not sure how much of that was related to BABIP-type bad luck, or how much the elevated ERA led to him getting cut, but his peripherals look like a guy who should still be in camp. He’s the only guy out of this group that I’m surprised to see cut at this point.

None of Jordan Lennerton, Daniel Fields, Francisco Martinez, or Devon Travis were going to ultimately make the team. They’re all prostpect-y types that should be familiar with the coaching staff (and vice versa), but none are going to be contributors in 2014.

Fields sort of got himself into the conversation after it was announced that Andy Dirks would be missing time with the back injury, but Brad Ausmus pretty much squashed that talk right away by saying he needed more time in the minors.

Lennerton, Fields, Martinez, and Travis are all going to be names to follow in the minors this season as all are (pretty much) the top prospect at their respective position.