Tampa — Not that he ever would, but Ryan Kreidler can’t say he wasn’t given an honest opportunity to make the Tigers’ Opening Day roster.
He made another start at shortstop Tuesday. He’s played in 17 of the Tigers’ 26 spring games and entered with the third-most at-bats on the team (39). He’s also played at short, third, second and center field.
“I’m really loving the experience,” Kreidler said, after collecting two hits in the Tigers’ 6-3 spring loss to the Yankees. “It’s been great. I just keep my head down and play hard. That’s all you can do. The results will take care of themselves. I feel like I’m doing the work to be prepared for the season.
“Just let the chips fall where they may.”
Kreidler is one of several players fighting for one of the utility spots, along with Cesar Hernandez, Andy Ibanez, Zack Short and Tyler Nevin.
He’s been steady and, at times, spectacular on defense. He’s had his ups and downs at the plate, but on the whole, his at-bats have been competitive.
“Lately, he’s been getting better pitches to hit,” manager AJ Hinch said. “With his offense, he still continues to make really good decisions on what to swing at and what not to swing at. That’s been encouraging.”
Kreidler has 11 hits, including two doubles, two triples and a home run. He’s struck out just nine times in 45 plate appearances with three walks.
“Obviously, he started slow and then he had a little hot streak,” Hinch said. “He will get to play a ton as we wind down. But, how his offense has been the last year and a half, he makes good decisions. The results are varying a little bit, but his at-bats are competitive.”
Jonathan Schoop played third base on Monday and he played first base Tuesday. The message is pretty clear: Even though he was a Gold Glove finalist at second base last year, he might provide more value to this Tigers’ team by being able to move around the diamond.
“It’s opening doors where he may see some at-bats or where he may fill in,” Hinch said. “He may not stay in one position. Or, maybe the roster configuration changes and he is. We’re covering every aspect that we can in case it becomes more of an opportunity to move him around a little bit.
“Contingency plans are good.”
Schoop singled and stole a base Tuesday.
For now, former All-Star closer Trevor Rosenthal’s work has been relegated to the back fields, since the Tigers’ signed him on March 7 and he is not expected to be on the Opening Day roster. But, he was scheduled to throw another live bullpen Wednesday, and he could pitch in a spring game by the end of the week.
“We’d rather do one too many (live) sessions than one too few sessions,” Hinch said. “He feels ready for a game and he’s told me that over and over. Hopefully, we will get him in a game before it’s all said and done.
“We like where he’s at. His velocity has been good (upper-90s) and his secondary pitches have been OK. We’re just making sure this ramp-up to a season is successful, given his track record.”
Rosenthal, who will turn 33 on May 29, hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2020, recovering first from Thoracic Outlet surgery and then a hamstring injury.
chris.mccosky@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @cmccosky