Tigers Spring Training Roster Cuts Tracker: Updates (2 top prospects reassigned)

UPDATE: After Wednesday's game (March 12), the Tigers reassigned two top prospects to minor league camp (see below).

As we barrel ahead toward Opening Day, rosters are going to begin taking shape as teams make cuts every week or so. The Detroit Tigers made their first round of cuts in early March and sent four players to minor league camp.

The second round came on Sunday morning, and a former first-round pick headlined the group. Matt Manning, who was selected No. 9 overall back in 2016, got absolutely tattooed in his three outings and left the Tigers no choice.

Manning will be demoted to Triple-A Toledo alongside fellow right-hander Tyler Mattison, with another right-hander in Ricky Vanasco headed to minor league camp. Tigers reporter Jason Beck of MLB.com was the first to reveal the news.

Tigers 2025 Spring Training Roster Cuts Tracker: Live Updates

In the early going, there's not much to analyze. The Tigers have incredible depth with their pitching staff, catcher situation, and infield group. These roster cuts have all been the obvious ones to make based on the talent gap.

But Tigers fans can't say the Manning situation doesn't concern them. This felt like his last chance to make an impact in Detroit, and the fact he's surrendered eight earned runs in just six innings of work this spring might've just sealed his fate, even with his one minor league option remaining. The 27-year-old gave up 10 hits (two homers) and an extremely concerning eight walks.

That comes after an unimpressive 2024 season as well. Manning's struggles were very much on display at Triple-A Toledo (4.28 ERA, 1.28 WHIP in 15 games) and five starts with the Tigers (4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP). The Tigers have built a strong pitching staff, and Manning's inconsistencies have clearly fallen out of favor with the organization. He definitely has plenty left in the tank and could still be a solid arm, but the Tigers just no longer have the time to see it through.

Before spring training ends, the Tigers will have to trim another 14 players from camp to round out the 40-man roster. For the most part, the production on the field is sorting out Detroit's situation so far, and many fans can probably predict the next few cuts.

Stay tuned for updates with less than three weeks to go until Opening Day.