Detroit Tigers Weekly Recap: Wins(!) and rain

The Tigers chose to hold onto young left-hander Daniel Norris, opting to keep him in the bullpen and to send down right-hander Warwick Saupold instead. The Tigers still view Norris as a future starter, and are planning to keep him stretched out in a long relief role with the big club.

Saupold threw 3.1 scoreless innings across four games, giving up three hits and one walk. It’s a bit surprising to see him go down after a strong start, but Detroit figures to rotate through quite a few relievers this season. Plus, Saupold is one of the few relievers with options remaining.

Detroit and Kansas City were rained out on Thursday, with the makeup game scheduled for April 20, when both teams have a scheduled off-day.

Victor Reyes pinch-ran for Victor Martinez in Saturday’s contest, a sign that he is healed from the laceration he suffered after a collision with Jose Iglesias. Reyes has only played in two games so far this year. He figures to primarily be a pinch-runner while he waits out his year on the 25-man roster, per the Rule 5 Draft requirements. JaCoby Jones is firmly entrenched as the team’s fourth outfielder, so don’t expect to see Reyes more than a handful of times this season.

On the Farm

In the minors, outfielder Mike Gerber has already hit two home runs in just three games with Triple-A Toledo. He figures to make his big league debut sometime in 2018.

Chad Bell looked solid in his first start back at Triple-A Toledo, striking out five in 3.1 innings of work.

And finally, shortstop prospect Sergio Alcantara is 6-for-14 with two doubles and a triple as Double-A Erie’s starting shortstop.

Next: Tigers prospects entering make-or-break seasons

Up next for the Tigers is a full week of games. They play four in Cleveland against the Indians before heading back home to host Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees.