The Tigers are doing the inevitable spring training math, and the paperwork is starting to reflect it. Left fielder Willie Figueroa is back in the fold, while a pair of roster casualties are heading to Triple-A Toledo.
The club officially activated Figueroa from the injured list and placed him on the active roster. Getting the left fielder back healthy is a necessary step before the regular season begins. You cannot finalize an Opening Day outfield without your everyday guys in the mix, and his return clears up one of the lingering questions from camp.
To make room and trim the ranks, Detroit optioned right fielder Matt Gray to Triple-A Toledo. Gray will have to keep grinding at the minor league level while the big league club sorts out its final outfield configuration. It is the unglamorous reality of March baseball. Someone has to be the odd man out when the roster shrinks.
The bullpen saw a similar subtraction. The Tigers optioned reliever Sergio Arellano to Toledo, but he will not be throwing anytime soon. Along with the demotion, the club placed Arellano on the International League 7-day injured list. The move is retroactive to March 20, meaning he is already eating into that mandatory absence time. Sending an injured pitcher to the minor league injured list is standard operating procedure, but it still stings to be sent down while hurt.
These moves signal the final phase of camp. The front office is tightening the screws and making the hard calls. Figueroa is back where he belongs, and the minor league affiliate just got a couple of new faces to manage. Now the Tigers just have to finalize the rest of the puzzle before the real games start.
Notebook
- Promoted 1B Elijah Jenkins from High-A West Michigan to Double A Erie.