Los Angeles — More tough roster decisions are coming for general manager Al Avila and manager AJ Hinch.
When the Tigers get back to Detroit following the weekend three-game series against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, rosters will have to be trimmed back to 26 players. Because of the shortened spring training, Major League Baseball allowed teams to carry two extra pitchers for the first month.
Initially, the league mandated a maximum of 13 pitchers. But, given that the schedule is compressed — with games canceled by the lockout reinserted — and the high injury rate of pitchers in April, teams can carry 14 pitchers through May.
“We haven’t decided yet,” Hinch said on Wednesday. “We have to see where our pitching is after this weekend. We have an off day on the back end of that (Monday), so we’ll see. Carrying an extra pitcher through May is awfully appealing, just because of the rigors of the schedule we have.”
Starting Tuesday against the Pirates at Comerica Park, the Tigers will play 30 games in 28 days through the end of May. The schedule almost begs for an extra pitcher. But carrying extra pitchers on a 26-man roster is a lot more problematic for managers than doing so with a 28-man roster.
Carrying 14 pitchers gives Hinch a nine-man bullpen. But it also means carrying 12 position players, leaving him with just three bench options every night. Having one less bench player likely means the Tigers couldn’t continue to carry three catchers.
More: Tigers throwing rookie Beau Brieske right into the fire, and he’s loving it
Neither Eric Haase nor Dustin Garneau has a minor-league option left and given that so many teams need catching depth, whichever one the Tigers designate would be claimed off waivers.
Harold Castro would likely be the main utility player on a three-man bench. Willi Castro would be optioned back to Triple-A Toledo. The other two bench players would be the backup catcher (likely Haase, since he can also play left field and first base) and a fourth outfielder (Derek Hill or Victor Reyes, when he comes off the injured list).
Pretty thin.
The other option would be to try to get through May with an eight-man bullpen, continuously shuttling in fresh arms from Toledo.
“We will have to make some decisions along the way,” Hinch said. “We’re pretty aware of some of our options. But right now, we just need to win the game tonight and see where we are by the off day.”
PROJECTED 26-MAN ROSTER
Starting pitchers (5): Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Pineda, Tarik Skubal, Tyler Alexander, Beau Brieske.
Injured list: Casey Mize, Matt Manning.
Relief pitchers (9): Closer Gregory Soto (LHP), Michael Fulmer, Andrew Chafin (LHP), Alex Lange, Joe Jimenez, Wily Peralta, Jacob Barnes, Drew Hutchison.
Note: Barnes and Hutchison are out of minor-league options. Will Vest, who would be sent back to Toledo in this scenario, has three options left.
Catchers (2): Tucker Barnhart, Eric Haase.
Note: Dustin Garneau would be designated for assignment in this scenario.
Infielders (6): Miguel Cabrera (DH), Spencer Torkelson (1B), Jonathan Schoop (2B), Javier Baez (SS), Jeimer Candelario (3B), Harold Castro (UT).
Note: Willi Castro would be optioned to Toledo in this scenario.
Outfielders (4): Robbie Grossman, Austin Meadows, Akil Baddoo, Derek Hill.
Note: Victor Reyes is on the injured list.
AROUND THE HORN
… The Tigers’ No. 7-rated prospect, shortstop Ryan Kreidler, who had four home runs and .808 OPS at Toledo, will be out indefinitely after breaking a bone in his right hand. “He’s going to see a specialist,” Hinch said. “From what I’m told, it’s not a simple break. He’s talking to experts and he’s going to be out of action for a good bit.” Kreidler was hit in the hand, the same game that he bashed his fourth home run. He is exploring surgical options.
…Kirk Gibson on Saturday will be inducted in the Legends of Dodger Baseball Club in an on-field ceremony. The hero of the Dodgers’ 1988 World Series team, Gibson joins Steve Garvey, Don Newcombe, Fernando Valenzuela and Maury Wills in the exclusive Legends club.
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Tigers at Dodgers
First pitch: 10:10 p.m. Saturday, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
TV/Radio: BSD/97.1.
Scouting report
RHP Beau Brieske (0-1, 5.40), Tigers: The Rockies went 1-for-15 against his high-spin four-seamer (95 mph, 2,404 rpm) and change-up in his debut last Saturday. But they went 2-for-3 with two homers against his slider and curveball. He smartly declined to give specifics about his plan for the Dodgers, only to say he wants to be great at the things he’s good at — that is, fastball and change-up.
LHP Clayton Kershaw (3-0, 2.55), Dodgers: A couple of home-run balls against the Braves is the only real damage against him in three starts. His slider has been lethal, opponents going 2-for-29 against it with a 41% whiff rate. This will be the third time he’s faced the Tigers, the first since 2011 when he threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout with 11 strikeouts.