Depth despite injuries: Tigers set final roster
Lakeland, Fla. – The Tigers don’t have to submit their 25-man roster to the league until Sunday, but, barring injury or other unforeseen adjustment, it’s set to go.
By sending pitcher Lendy Castillo to the minor league camp Friday, veteran right-hander Logan Kensing won the final spot in the bullpen. Technically, there are still 31 players in camp, but six of them will start the year on the disabled list.
“What I feel good about,” general manager Al Avila said, “is that we do have depth because after all these injuries we are still able to break camp with a team we like. And when some of these guys start coming back, you have a steady flow of guys coming in an out and we feel we have quality guys to do that.”
Here is the 25-man roster that will open the season in Miami on Tuesday.
Pitchers (12): Starters -- Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann, Anibal Sanchez, Mike Pelfrey, Shane Greene. Relievers – Kensing, Buck Farmer, Drew VerHagen, Kyle Ryan, Justin Wilson, Mark Lowe, closer Francisco Rodriguez.
Catchers (2): James McCann, Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Infielders (6): Miguel Cabrera, Ian Kinsler, Jose Iglesias, Nick Castellanos, Andrew Romine, Mike Aviles.
Outfielders (4): Justin Upton, Anthony Gose, J.D. Martinez, Tyler Collins.
Designated hitter (1): Victor Martinez.
The six players that will start on the DL are, center fielder Cameron Maybin, and pitchers Alex Wilson, Blaine Hardy, Daniel Norris, Angel Nesbitt, Jeff Ferrell.
“The positive you can take from all the injuries is, they all happened early in camp,” Avila said. “As of right now, with no setbacks, most of those guys who are going on the DL will be back somewhere around mid-April – that’s the schedule.
“So, I like the team we are going north with and I like that we will have some guys coming back that can make us even better.”
Maybin, out with a fractured wrist, took four at-bats and played five innings in a minor-league game Friday. Norris (back), Wilson (lat), Ferrell (shoulder) and Hardy (shoulder) have all resumed their throwing programs. Nesbitt (ankle) is rehabbing on the minor league side.
Eleven questions dog the Tigers
“I like the way it’s shaking out,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “I would rather not have the injuries, but they are part of the game. I don’t have a crystal ball, but it seems like the injuries will all be relatively short-term.
“We said the same thing about Verlander last year (he was out three months), but the guys going on the DL seem to be progressing in a direction that forecasts a quicker return.”
In some cases, Avila said, it could be blessings in disguise. The Tigers were prepared to restrict Norris’ innings if he started to approach 180 or 190 late in the season. Hardy and Wilson both wore down in September last season. Maybe missing the first couple of weeks will help them be stronger down the stretch.
“Theoretically that's true," Avila said. "There’s a lot of mystery with all of that. But sometimes things happen for a reason. You see Alex Wilson, maybe this is the best thing for him. Norris, same thing. All of a sudden we don’t have to worry so much about his innings.
“A lot of things take care of themselves with this.”
Another offshoot of the injuries and inevitable rehab assignments that will come in April, Avila has given manager Lloyd McClendon a pretty formidable squad to work with at Triple A Toledo.
“I told McClendon we expect a championship,” Avila said, laughing. “I told him that privately and joking around, but he’s got a good team. And a lot of these guys will end up helping us at the big-league level.”
Besides the six DL’d players, Toledo will also feature veterans Nate Schierholtz, Casey McGehee, Jordany Valdespin, Steven Moya, Dixon Machado, Wynton Bernard, plus pitchers Matt Boyd, Bobby Parnell, Michael Fulmer and Lucas Harrell.
The Tigers have released veteran John Mayberry, Jr., who was originally expected to play first base in Toledo. Castillo is expected to open the season at Double A Erie.
Twitter @cmccosky