Detroit Tigers announce first roster cuts of spring training

The Detroit Tigers have made their first cuts of the spring

The Detroit Tigers announced their first cuts of spring training this morning. Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press reports that relievers Elvis Alvarado and Adam Wolf, catchers Dillon Dingler and Julio E. Rodriguez ,and infielders Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy and were reassigned to minor league camp. 59 players still remain in major league camp. These cuts were made in conjunction with minor league camp beginning this week.

No real surprises among this group. Keith and Malloy were both longshots to make the team, even though they are both top prospects in this organization. A.J. Hinch had already said that Keith wouldn't make the roster.

It is worth nothing that even though these players were reassigned to minor league camp, some of them may still see time with the big league club. Keith and Malloy in particular will likely still see some ABs with the Tigers in spring training.

Keith is 3-for-8 so far this spring with a homer, one walk and three strikeouts. Malloy is 0-for-4 so far with three strikeouts. He has looked good at third base, however. Dingler is 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts.

Alvarado has received praise for his big fastball, but struggles with his command, and that rang true in two spring outings. He got a save, but gave up two runs, walked two, and struck out one in 1.2 IP. He's still just 24 years old, but he's got a look of work to do before he's big league ready.

This was just the first round of cuts. There will be many more to come. Later this week, we'll post our second official Opening Day roster projection, so be on the lookout for that. Some of these roster battles will be fascinating to watch play out.