2 other Tigers in danger of losing roster spot after Justyn-Henry Malloy decision

When the Detroit Tigers designated Justyn-Henry Malloy for assignment, the message wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t just about Malloy. It was about space — and who may be about to lose theirs.

Malloy’s DFA was likely the first shoe dropping in a 40-man roster crunch the Tigers have been pretending they can manage quietly. And if you’re looking for the next names staring down that same uncomfortable reality, two stand out immediately.

Both of these players were once framed as key pieces of the future. Both are now caught in the brutal middle ground between prospect and priority — the most dangerous place to be in a front office obsessed with flexibility.

2 other Tigers in danger of losing roster spot after Justyn-Henry Malloy decision

Jace Jung

Not that long ago, Jung was supposed to be the bat that solved things in Detroit. First-round pedigree. Left-handed power. A college hitter who was “close.”

Now? He’s blocked, exposed, and running out of excuses.

Jung hasn’t forced his way into the conversation offensively, and defensively, the Tigers have never truly committed to what he is. Is he a second baseman? A third baseman? A bat-only utility type? The organization still doesn’t seem sure — and that uncertainty is deadly when you’re trying to justify a 40-man spot.

The problem isn’t that Jung is bad. It’s that he’s replaceable. Detroit keeps talking about waves of infield talent coming, and that future keeps arriving faster than Jung’s breakout.

If the Tigers need a roster spot for pitching depth, bullpen churn, or yet another minor-league deal they don’t want to lose control over, Jung becomes an easy name to circle. Former first-round picks aren’t immune to roster math. Malloy just proved that.

Trey Sweeney

Sweeney’s situation might be even more uncomfortable. He came over from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Jack Flaherty trade with intrigue, versatility and a chance to be a solid everyday infielder somewhere on the diamond. But here’s the hard truth: the Tigers already have younger, cheaper, and more upside-heavy infield options they like more.

Sweeney hasn’t hit enough to demand a job. He hasn’t defended well enough to carve out a niche. And he hasn’t shown the kind of growth that makes a front office say, “We can’t lose this guy.” That’s the kiss of death in a roster crunch.

When teams are juggling the Rule 5 Draft, waiver claims, bullpen churn, and “depth” signings that suddenly become non-negotiable, players like Sweeney become casualties — not because they failed spectacularly, but because they never separated themselves. And that’s exactly what happened to Malloy.