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Detroit Tigers Make Moves, Begin Roster Cuts in Process

By Ben Rosener

Mar 4, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Victor Alcantara (58) throws a pitch during the sixth inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Victor Alcantara (58) throws a pitch during the sixth inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers players continue to make their way through Spring Training. With Opening Day getting closer, the team has started to make roster moves to get closer to the unit that will head to Chicago.

Detroit Tigers fans saw the team come into Spring Training with plenty of non-roster invitees.

Despite a roster that was mostly set, the Tigers brought in plenty of players to camp.

From prospects like Dominic Ficociello, Joe Jimenez and Mike Gerber to Major League veterans such as Omar Infante, Anthony Gose and Edward Mujica, the team certainly wasn’t short of options.

Many of the pitchers in camp seemed to be conceivable candidates for one of the final bullpen spots.

Meanwhile, the likes of Ficociello, Infante and Gose could all make a play for a bench role.

It remains to be seen who will make Detroit’s Opening Day unit, but per a series of tweets from the Tigers’ official Twitter account, the team has started to pare down the roster ahead of the beginning of the regular season.

Detroit’s Twitter account tweeted the following two tweets on Saturday morning:

"“Prior to today’s game, the #Tigers have optioned RHP Victor Alcantara to Triple-A Toledo and optioned LHP Jairo Labourt to Double-A Erie.”"

"“Additionally, the #Tigers have reassigned RHP’s Jeff Ferrell and Adam Ravenelle to minor league camp.”"

All told, Victor Alcantara and Jairo Labourt appeared in a combined five games for the Tigers in Grapefruit League action.

Alcantara threw three innings, allowing three hits, two runs and a walk. He struck out three over the same span.

What’s more, he has so far been the only pitcher to notch a save so far for Detroit.

Meanwhile, Labourt pitched in two games for the club.

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While he struck out three in an inning of work, the reliever did allow five runs, four walks and four hits.

Despite Alcantara and Labourt heading to the minors, the respective moves represent steps up for the duo.

The former Angels farmhand spent 2016 with Anaheim’s Double-A affiliate. Labourt, who came to Detroit in the David Price deal, spent 2016 with Advanced-A Lakeland in the Detroit Tigers farm system.

Jeff Ferrell and Adam Ravenelle

Similar to Alcantara and Labourt, Ferrell and Ravenelle made a total of five appearances.

The 26-year-old Ferrell allowed seven hits and two runs in 2.2 frames spread over three outings.

Ravenelle pitched in two games, recording two outs while allowing three walks and a hit. The reliever previously left a spring outing with an elbow concern.

Last season, the Vanderbilt product pitched in 50 games split between Lakeland and Double-A Erie.

Next: Tigers Position Player Prospects’ Stats So Far in Spring Training

He struck out 8.8 batters per nine innings while posting a 3.88 ERA in 58 innings.

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