Detroit Tigers: Zack Short in a tough spot heading into 2023

Detroit Tigers infielder Zack Short may be the odd man out.

Spring Training will be a big chance for players to earn spots on the Detroit Tigers roster during the 2023 season. As the Tigers get through the spring, there will likely be a few corresponding roster moves to figure out which players will travel north with the team.

One of the things that could happen is a bit of overhaul amongst the Detroit Tigers infield. Maybe not a total overhaul, but some changes in the bench bats to allow some new faces to get some time with the big league club.

As the spring gets underway, it could be Zack Short who is on the wrong side of the roster crunch. The Tigers are going to have some players who ultimately impress them who are not on the 40-man roster. This could require some changes to make room.

The Tigers have all 40 spots on the 40-man occupied, but they also have a few players who could very well warrant starting the season in Detroit, not on the 40-man. Especially with the signing of Cesár Hernandez to a minor league deal.

Frankly, Short has not brought much value to the Tigers during his time, and he's not the most projectable player around. He's a gamer player going to go out and compete, but the skillset could get overpowered if the Red Wings are looking to give some other players a chance.

Short has been with the Tigers since the 2020 season after being acquired when the team traded Cameron Maybin to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. He played with the Tigers in 2021, logging 61 games and accumulating 156 at-bats. He slashed .141/.239/.282 with 59 punchouts while having just ten extra-base hits.

In 2022, Short had just six games played with the Tigers, spending the season in Triple-A with the Toledo Mud Hens. Sort had just 13 plate appearances where he did not register a hit. Instead, he punched out five times over nine at-bats.

He has not exactly panned out to be much for the Tigers; if anything, he has become a body on the 40-man who's there to be called up if needed. As the Tigers start to figure out which players will round out their bench and who will make a name for themselves in Spring Training, Short could find himself heading out.

Short is going to have to have a strong fall to prove he still deserves a 40-man spot. If not, he could find himself being designated for assignment to create room. Time will tell.