The Detroit Tigers 25-Man Roster is Almost Set
The Detroit Tigers' 25-man active roster to open the 2015 season got a lot clearer today. The team optioned catcher Bryan Holiday and OF Tyler Collins to the minor leagues. That mans the team will carry Andrew Romine and Hernan Perez as utility infielders. Manager Bard Ausmus has gotten them both playing time all around the infield so they will be set to take over the role left empty by the departure of Don Kelly.
The only real decision left to the team is what to do with Bruce Rondon and which two lefthanders will earn spots in the bullpen. There are many factors that go into that decision the most important of them being which players give the big team the best chance to win. Secondly the team is thinking who should play more and that is likely why Collins was sent to the minors so he can play instead of riding the bench in Detroit.
The Tigers will carry four outfielders, Yoenis Cespedes, Rajai dais, Anthony Gose, and JD Martinez. Miguel Cabrera, Nick Castellanos, Jose Iglesias, Ian Kinsler join Romine and Perez and the infielders. Expect Alex Avila and James McCann to share the catching duties. With Victor Martinez as the team's full time Designated hitter. Justin Verlander, David Price, Anibal Sanchez, Shane Green and Alfredo Simon are the club's five starting pitchers.
Joe Nathan will begin the year as the closer, Joakim Soria will be the set up guy. Joba Chamberlain, Al Albuquerque have all likely earned spots in the en leaving a decision between Rondon and Angel Nesbitt for the final right handed spots. Ian Krol, Tom Gorzelanny, Blain Hardy and Kyle Ryan will be competing for the two left handed reliever spots. Gorzelanny will has likely already wrapped up one of those spots with the final decisions to come in the next few days.