Detroit Tigers: Opening Day 2021 Roster Projection 3.0

Since December, I have discussed some sort of roster construction for the Detroit Tigers, ranging from the 26th man on the roster to the starting rotation. As we are getting closer to Opening Day, I think it’s time to put one final one that focuses not only on the home opener against Cleveland but covers the rest of the roster.

Manager AJ Hinch has some tough decisions heading into the final stretch here. Do they have a five-man outfield? Do they carry five lefties in their bullpen? Does Jake Rogers get the backup catching job? Is the six-man rotation going to happen?

Whatever the case will be, here are some important dates you should know.

Detroit Tigers key dates including minor league schedules:

Triple-A: The Toledo Mud Hens are scheduled to start on May 4 at home against Nashville. Schedule.

Double-A: The SeaWolves home opener is set for May 11: Schedule.

High-A: The West Michigan Whitecaps schedule:

Low-A: Lakeland Flying Tigers schedule: 

Home opener: April 1 home opener against Cleveland.

As Evan Woodbery of Mlive.com pointed out, March 27 is another key date. Why? That is the date the Tigers must make a decision on Derek Holland and Erasmo Ramirez. Detroit either puts them on the roster, releases them, or agree to pay a $100,000 bonus by that date.

Non-roster impact in camp

Speaking of Derek Holland and Erasmo Ramirez, they have had a strong spring training camp and that was a much-needed boost. Both are veteran arms that can provide innings early on. Where to put Ramirez and Holland in a bullpen with not a lot of new faces may be the challenge but they have earned the opportunity.

As far as Greg Garcia and Renato Nunez go, Nunez went 2-for-2 yesterday and despite the late start getting into camp,  in a lineup that needs power, Nunez’s track record speaks for itself. Let’s start with the starting rotation.