Detroit Tigers Links: Miggy progressing, roster choices, Chad Smith gone

A lot of the Detroit Tigers hopes and dreams for 2015 are on the recovering feet of Miguel Cabrera.

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All reports lately (knocking on wood as I type) have Miggy coming along well. Our first link looks at his next milestone on the horizon.

The Tigers roster is largely set so Grapefruit League action will largely be a battle for a handful of bench and bullpen spots. For the bench, the Tigers have three familiar names that will likely battle for just two open spots.

Finally, we look at Chad Smith who needed to be placed on waivers after being removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Joba Chamberlain. The Tigers were hoping he’d make it through unclaimed but the Oakland Athletics swooped in and nabbed him.

Tigers’ Cabrera progresses in running; Ausmus pleased – Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

"And from what athletic trainer Kevin Rand has told Ausmus, as soon as Cabrera can run at 80% of his body weight, he can start fielding groundballs hit right at him.“I’ve been told it moves pretty quickly. Going from 65% body weight to 80% body weight, it’s not like it takes two weeks,” Ausmus said. “It should go relatively fast. Two days, three days.”"

Tigers must pick two of Perez, Romine, Collins – George Sipple, Freep

"If Collins makes the team, it will be as the fifth outfielder. Yoenis Cespedes, Rajai Davis, Anthony Gose and J.D. Martinez are considered roster locks.Perez and Romine are infielders who also are getting work in the outfield this spring so that they can fill the super-utility role previously held by Don Kelly. Kelly signed with the Miami Marlins after the Tigers let him go this off-season.Perez and Romine are out of minor league options, which makes the decision to leave them off the 25-man roster more difficult. “Being out of options does change the dynamic a little bit,” Ausmus said."

Detroit Tigers lose right-hander Chad Smith to Oakland Athletics on waiver claim – Chris Iott, MLive

"“I really wished he would have made it through,” Dombrowski said, “but you’ve got to take somebody off your roster at the time.”Smith, 25, posted a 5.40 ERA in 10 appearances last season for the Tigers, who selected him in the 17th round of the 2011 draft. He went 11-9 with a 2.68 ERA and a 1.202 WHIP in three seasons in the minors.Smith was one of 13 players to make their major-league debut on the mound for the Tigers during the 2014 season."

Next: #TBT Travis Fryman: Fan Favorite Sacked by Randy Smith