Opening Day is knocking, and while the big-league club finalizes the roster for the opener, the real long-term work for the 2051 season is just getting started in the lower rungs of the farm system. The Tigers officially promoted starting pitcher Mel Camunez from the international complex to Rookie League 23 Detroit.

It is a notable first step for a kid who just cracked the radar. Camunez checks in as the number 96 overall prospect. Getting a formal nod like that means the front office sees something worth developing, but a ranking is just ink on a scouting report until a guy takes the mound and throws strikes. Pitching prospects are a dime a dozen until they actually get hitters out.

As we look at the year ahead, the health of the minor league pipeline will dictate what this franchise can do down the road. You can only patch a rotation with stopgap arms for so long before you need homegrown guys to eat innings. Sending Camunez to the DSL affiliate is the first real transaction of the 2051 minor-league calendar. It is a long way from the international complex to the big leagues. The Dominican Summer League is an absolute grinder, built to test a young pitcher’s makeup and routine just as much as his stuff.

For now, Camunez just needs to get his feet wet in Rookie ball and stay healthy. If he handles the DSL and shows he can command his pitches, the Tigers will have a live arm moving up the ladder. If he struggles, well, that is why they play the games and why player development exists. The 2051 season is about to start under the lights for the major-league roster, but for the farm system, the clock started ticking with this first promotion.

Notebook

• [G]Signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.