The Detroit Tigers made their final decisions on the 2021 Opening Day roster on Saturday, and there was a surprise or two in store. First baseman Renato Nuñéz has been informed that he did not make the cut. Former closer Joe Jiménez was also left off the starting 26-man roster, and was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
As a result, both Rule 5 pick—and darling of spring training—Akil Baddoo, and Victor Reyes have made the squad. The Tigers will carry five outfielders, perhaps using Miguel Cabrera’s days at first base to rotate one of their outfielders through the designated hitter spot.
Added to the bench alongside Baddoo and Reyes are utilitymen Niko Goodrum and Harold Castro. Both seem likely to see some duty at first base, but the Tigers could also rotate Jeimer Candelario or Jonathan Schoop to first base occasionally, using Goodrum or Castro at second or third base depending.
Nuñéz is the most interesting decision, as the slugger was late to camp due to slow intake through the COVID protocols. He only appeared in 12 games, giving the 26-year-pld slugger little to no time to get dialed in at the plate. However, the bat probably isn’t the issue of concern, as the Tigers coaching staff appears to have made the decision based on a rough showing at first base. Nuñéz spent most of his five years in the league as a bona fide designated hitter who only occasionally played both sides of the ball, so there presumably weren’t any real surprises in seeing him struggle some at first base. Apparently the Tigers didn’t see enough there to work with. They’ll now have to put together a lineup with enough power despite losing Nuñéz’s ability to crank 30 home runs a year, something few in the lineup even have the potential for doing.
Nuñéz has a few days left to opt-out of his deal, or accept an assignment to Triple-A Toledo. According to Hinch, the Tigers would like to keep him. That may be the likely outcome as he was cut by the Baltimore Orioles to begin with, and isn’t an easy fit for most teams as they finalize their Opening Day roster.
A.J. Hinch has informed Renato Nunez he won’t break camp with the team. Nunez has an opt out but the Tigers hope he’ll stay with the org.
Victor Reyes, Akil Baddoo and Harold Castro all make the team. The 26-man roster is set.
— Cody Stavenhagen (@CodyStavenhagen) March 27, 2021
As for Jiménez, he’ll head to Triple-A to try and recapture the form that led him to an All-Star game appearance in 2018. Since that point, the home runs have become a problem, as has the decline in the formerly hard-throwing reliever’s velocity. Still just 26 years old, Jiménez retains the lively fastball that can buffalo hitters at times despite velocity more in the 94 mph range than his old 96-97. He just continues to struggle to repeat his delivery and locate his fastball with the command and the life he needs to succeed.
On Friday, Michael Fulmer was formally moved to the bullpen and locked into the Opening Day roster. That decision, and the ongoing success and flexibility provided by lefty Tyler Alexander, ultimately forced Jiménez back to the minor leagues.
The final roster looks like this, at least until Spencer Turnbull returns from the COVID injured list.
Rotation
LHP Matthew Boyd
RHP Julio Teheran
RHP Jose Ureña
LHP Tarik Skubal
RHP Casey Mize
Bullpen
LHP Daniel Norris
RHP Michael Fulmer
LHP Tyler Alexander
LHP Derek Holland
RHP Jose Cisneros
LHP Gregory Soto
RHP Buck Farmer
RHP Bryan Garcia
Position players
DH/1B Miguel Cabrera
2B Jonathan Schoop
SS Willi Castro
3B Jeimer Candelario
UT Niko Goodrum
UT Harold Castro
C Wilson Ramos
C Grayson Greiner
CF JaCoby Jones
LF Robbie Grossman
RF Nomar Mazara
OF Akil Baddoo
OF Victor Reyes