LAKELAND, Fla. — In the sixth round of roster cuts, the Detroit Tigers optioned outfielder Akil Baddoo and infielder Zack Short to Triple-A Toledo. Second baseman César Hernández, a 10-year MLB veteran, was one of seven players reassigned to minor-league camp.
The other players reassigned: right-handed pitchers Trevor Rosenthal and Matt Wisler, left-handed pitcher Jace Fry, outfielder Jonathan Davis and catchers Andrew Knapp and Michael Papierski.
There are 30 players remaining in MLB spring training.
The Tigers’ 13-player position group appears set for Opening Day — barring an injury or trade — with designated hitter Miguel Cabrera, catchers Eric Haase and Jake Rogers, infielders Javier Báez, Ryan Kreidler, Nick Maton, Zach McKinstry, Jonathan Schoop and Spencer Torkelson and outfielders Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene, Austin Meadows and Matt Vierling.
On Monday, the Tigers acquired McKinstry in a trade with the Cubs. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Tigers placed right-handed reliever Freddy Pacheco on the 60-day injured list.
McKinstry, who turns 28 in late April, does not have any minor-league options remaining. The left-handed hitter has a .208 batting average with 12 home runs, 26 walks (7.1% walk rate) and 105 strikeouts (28.9% strikeout rate) throughout his 121-game MLB career. On defense, he can play second base, third base, shortstop, left field and right field.
The starting rotation is set with Eduardo Rodriguez, Spencer Turnbull, Matt Manning, Matthew Boyd and Joey Wentz.
The eight-pitcher bullpen needs to be ironed out between left-handers Tyler Alexander, Tyler Holton and Chasen Shreve and right-handers Beau Brieske, Jose Cisnero, Mason Englert, Jason Foley, Garrett Hill, Alex Lange and Trey Wingenter.
The Tigers must cut two players from that group. There appears to be three relievers in the mix for one spot: Holton, Brieske and Hill.
Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen and infielder Tyler Nevin will start the season in the 10-day injured list. Brieske isn’t expected to make the Opening Day roster, leaving Hill and Holton in the bullpen battle.
This story will be updated.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.