Detroit Tigers make first two roster cuts ahead of deadline

The Detroit Tigers 40-man roster is down to 35…for now

The Detroit Tigers made their first two roster cuts today, as outfielder Daz Cameron was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles and infielder Josh Lester cleared waivers.

Cameron, who will turn 26 early next year, just never got a fair shot in Detroit. He was obviously part of the the Justin Verlander trade back in 2017 along with Jake Rogers and Franklin Perez.

He flashed some of his potential and reminded everyone why he was a first-round pick at times. He had a pretty quick bat and was very athletic. His home run robbery against Cleveland this past year was one of his top moments in a Detroit Tigers uniform.

But every time it seemed like things were finally starting to go his way, something would happen—whether he got injured, or he would just get into a slump, Cameron dealt with some pretty bad luck throughout his time in Detroit. Even given the Tigers need for right-handed outfield bats, Cameron could never find consistent playing time. He finishes his Tigers career with a slash line of .201/.266/.330 with five home runs and a -0.6 bWAR.

Hopefully he can get off to a fresh start in Baltimore. Orioles’ GM MIke Elias was with the Houston Astros when they drafted Cameron in 2015, so it makes sense that he would want him back. Maybe he can unlock something with the Orioles.

Lester was a minor league journeyman who finally got a cup of coffee with the Tigers toward the tail end of 2022. He went 0-5 with three strikeouts in five plate appearances.

Neither of these cuts should be very surprising. Cameron was clearly the odd man out in a crowded Tigers outfield and Lester wasn’t apart of this team’s future. These were just the first of many Tigers roster casualties to come.