Detroit Tigers: Potential 40-Man Roster Losses

Minor League Relievers

Dustin Molleken

Molleken posted a solid 3.03 FIP in a brief, 8.1 inning cup of coffee with Detroit in 2016. However, he wasn’t recalled when rosters expanded and is 31. It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Tigers opt for another reliever.

Warwick Saupold

Saupold allowed 17 hits, eight runs and three walks in just 9.2 innings of work for the Tigers in 2016.

Angel Nesbitt

For good reason, Nesbitt isn’t the first name on this list. However, if team needs a roster spot, it could try and sneak the reliever through waivers. Despite being armed with a blazing fastball, the reliever pitched to a 4.91 ERA at three minor league stops in 2016. That included a 1.72 WHIP, 11.9 hits allowed per nine innings, 3.6 walks per nine innings and just 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Joe Mantiply

Just with Nesbitt, Mantiply could be designated for assignment only in the event that the Tigers are in need of an open 40-man roster spot.

The 25-year-old showed the ability to miss bats at the minor league level with a a career 8.9 strikeouts per nine innings. However, he did struggle at the Major League level with a 16.88 ERA in just 2.2 innings pitched.

Next: Reexamining the Cameron Maybin Trade

Detroit has plenty of other relief options in the upper minors, like Joe Jimenez, Miles Jaye, Chad Bell, Paul Voelker and (when healthy) Drew VerHagen.