Tigers Trim Roster

It’s a busy morning in Lakeland today as the Tigers have announced, as expected, another round of roster cuts. Via the Tigers official twitter feed, the team has assigned five players to minor league camp, and placed two more on the disabled list. The moves leave 32 active players in camp.

As expected, relievers Bobby Seay and Zach Miner were both placed on the 15-day disabled list and neither will be available for Opening Day. Seay is scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews about his ailing left shoulder and could be out for a very long time. Miner has lingering elbow soreness. Even if there are no setbacks, his likely return won’t come until the end of April by the time he works his way back into game-shape.

Outfielder Wilkin Ramirez and pitcher Daniel Schlereth were both optioned to Toledo, neither move is a surprise. Schlereth needs more seasoning and there isn’t a need for him with the Tigers right now. Even with Seay’s injury there are still three LH relievers in camp, not counting the possibility of Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis joining the bullpen.

Ramirez going to Toledo doesn’t raise eyebrows on its face, but when you consider that the Tigers had previously assigned Ryan Strieby, Casper Wells, and Brennan Boesch to the AAA club, the addition of Ramirez already gives them four outfielders to fight for playing time. Strieby could also play first, and there is a DH to be used, but this move might mean good things for Clete Thomas, as the Tigers aren’t going to want any of the above mentioned players to be sitting on the MudHens bench.

In addition to the optioned players, catcher Max St. Pierre and pitchers Phil Dumatrait and Enrique Gonzalez were also assigned to minor league camp. Those three were with the Tigers as non-roster players and were not expected to compete for big league jobs. No immediate word was given on where the three will play, but it’s more than possible all three will be in Toledo as well.

Again, no surprises in the group of moves today. The biggest questions remain unanswered. Thomas, Jeff Larish, and Don Kelly are still competing for the final roster spot, and there are still three starters battling for two rotation spots. As the final few days of camp dwindle away, those questions will be answered.