logo
Tigers roster projection 2.0: How do injuries alter the outfield puzzle?

Tigers roster projection 2.0: How do injuries alter the outfield puzzle?

New York Times03-03-2025

DETROIT — On the first day of full-squad workouts, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch showed a video featuring highlights of last season.
The reel was crafted to convey a highly intentional theme. It showed important games and moments throughout the season, from Matt Manning's rainy start in New York to Trey Sweeney's amazing catch in Baltimore. Player after player appeared, coming through with a big hit or generating a crucial double-play ball.
Advertisement
The point: A 162-game season means contributions must come from everywhere. The team that breaks camp and heads to Los Angeles later this month won't be the same group of 26 players who finish the season in Boston.
'Right now, in this time, players don't really want to hear that,' Hinch said. 'They want to see their name at the end of spring as being on this team. I understand that and appreciate that. (But) it's just not a deadline. It's a moment in time.'
Already the Tigers are having their mettle tested. Matt Vierling, an important player at right field and third base, will begin the season on the injured list with a strain to his right rotator cuff. So there's one unexpected roster spot now open.
Parker Meadows, too, remains on the mend from a nerve issue in his upper right arm. The Tigers have not ruled Meadows out for Opening Day, but nerve issues tend to be tricky, and Meadows is not currently participating in baseball activities.
For the purpose of this projection — mainly as a way of highlighting the intricacies of the roster puzzle — we will assume Meadows ends up beginning the season on the IL.
Here's where the Tigers stand with 25 days until Opening Day:
Projected roster:
C Jake Rogers
C Dillon Dingler
1B Colt Keith
2B Gleyber Torres
SS Javier Báez
3B Jace Jung
OF Riley Greene
OF Wenceel Pérez
OF Kerry Carpenter
UTIL Andy Ibáñez
UTIL Zach McKinstry
OF/1B Justyn-Henry Malloy
UTIL Jahmai Jones
Contenders: IF Trey Sweeney, 1B Spencer Torkelson, IF Ryan Kreidler
Injured list: OF Parker Meadows, UTIL Matt Vierling
Notable non-roster players: C Tomás Nido, C Brian Serven, 1B/OF Bligh Madris, IF Eddys Leonard, IF Andrew Navigato
The injury to Vierling likely bodes well for Jace Jung and Wenceel Pérez. Pérez, in particular, was useful for the Tigers as a rookie and was already deep in the mix for a roster spot.
Advertisement
The Vierling injury highlights the need for another outfielder. Although the likes of McKinstry or even Ibáñez could also fill in on the grass, Pérez more likely fits the bill. It's worth noting the switch hitter had only a .594 OPS against left-handed pitching last season, so he doesn't really help the Tigers' weakness against left-handers.
If Meadows begins the season on the injured list, we will learn a lot about what the Tigers actually value. There are a plethora of ways they could configure this roster. But in all situations, the team would be forced to do something it might find uncomfortable.
The Tigers, for instance, could carry Spencer Torkelson and Justyn-Henry Malloy on the same roster. But there the Tigers would be faced with either playing Kerry Carpenter against left-handed pitching or starting Malloy in right field, where he has made only one appearance at the big-league level and does not exactly profile as a plus defender. Alternatively, Riley Greene could move to right field and Malloy could play in left. None of these situations are preferable — though Carpenter against lefties is a big source of intrigue.
Likewise, the Tigers could carry Trey Sweeney and McKinstry — left-handed hitters who play shortstop — but that, too, would make them extremely left-handed and could force Carpenter into the lineup against lefties. This construction might work fine against teams that lack lefty options. But in the Opening series, the Tigers will likely face a left-handed starter in Blake Snell, plus a bullpen that features multiple formidable left-handed arms.
So what's the solution?
If Meadows starts on the IL, the need for outfield help is especially heightened. Ryan Kreidler has expanded his game into center field and could be an option. The fact he could help at shortstop, where Javier Báez remains a major question, should not be overlooked.
But perhaps the most natural fit isn't currently on the 40-man roster. Jahmai Jones, a non-roster invitee who has played well early in camp, checks a lot of boxes for the Tigers. He's a utility player who has spent most of his time in the outfield so far this camp. Perhaps more importantly, he's known for his ability to handle left-handed pitching. In a sample of 25 plate appearances, Jones had a .925 OPS against lefties in the majors last season. In Triple A, Jones had an .883 OPS against left-handers. His ability to play the outfield and his strength against lefties is why he's currently on this projection. The Tigers brought him into camp for a reason, after all.
Advertisement
'We've talked a lot about how left-handed we are and how do we balance that,' Hinch said. 'He'll be right in the mix to get some early at-bats to see if he's factoring into these decisions.'
The Tigers could also seek to bring in a player from the outside, either via waivers, trade or free agency. A right-handed hitter who can play center field would make a lot of sense. But would they actually be able to get anyone who projects as an upgrade over Jones?
For a clearer picture, here's a guess at what the actual batting order could look like. The ultimate roster decision could come down to one question: How do the Tigers actually feel about Carpenter getting more left-on-left at-bats?
vs. RHP
Wenceel Pérez CF (S)
Riley Greene LF (L)
Gleyber Torres 2B
Kerry Carpenter RF (L)
Colt Keith 1B (L)
Justyn-Henry Malloy DH
Jace Jung 3B (L)
Zach McKinstry SS (L)
Jake Rogers C
Bench: UTIL Andy Ibáñez, UTIL Jahmai Jones, SS Javier Báez, C Dillon Dingler
Note: Swap Jones for Torkelson here, and you'd likely have to start Malloy in the outfield in order to allow Torkelson to pinch hit for Carpenter at DH. Swap Sweeney for Jones, start Sweeney at shortstop and move McKinstry to right field, and this lineup vs. RHP looks pretty good.
vs. LHP
Justyn-Henry Malloy DH
Riley Greene LF (L)
Andy Ibáñez 3B
Gleyber Torres 2B
Colt Keith 1B (L)
Wenceel Pérez CF (S)
Jahmai Jones RF
Javier Báez SS
Jake Rogers C
Bench: OF Kerry Carpenter, UTIL Zach McKinstry, IF Jace Jung, C Dillon Dingler
Note: If Torkelson were on this roster over Jones, he could start at DH. That would mean either playing Malloy in the outfield or starting Carpenter against a lefty. Add Sweeney over Jones, and it's a similar situation with Carpenter.
Projected roster: LHP Tarik Skubal, RHP Jack Flaherty, RHP Reese Olson, RHP Jackson Jobe, RHP Kenta Maeda
Advertisement
Contenders: RHP Casey Mize, RHP Keider Montero, LHP Brant Hurter, RHP Ty Madden, RHP Matt Manning
Injured list: RHP Alex Cobb, RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long
Jackson Jobe is not perfect, but watching the sheer stuff he displayed Sunday against the Pirates, he continues to show precisely why he belongs on this roster. If Jobe is able to truly lock down a rotation spot, that leaves a plethora of players battling for one final spot. Maeda, Mize and Montero have all thrown well in camp so far. Maeda might not be the most inspiring of those options, but his $10 million contract status likely gives him an edge. Mize could go to Triple A or convert to relief. Montero is likely to remain a starter and could have the most to benefit from a bit more time in the minors.
Projected roster: RHP Jason Foley, RHP Will Vest, RHP Beau Brieske, LHP Tyler Holton, RHP Tommy Kahnle, RHP John Brebbia, LHP Sean Guenther, LHP Brant Hurter
Contenders: LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Brenan Hanifee
Injured list: RHP Alex Lange
40-man depth: RHP Tyler Mattison, RHP Tyler Owens, RHP Chase Lee
Notable non-roster players: RHP Ricky Vanasco, RHP Wilmer Flores, RHP Brendan White, LHP Matt Gage, RHP Jordan Balazovic, LHP Dietrich Enns, RHP Ryan Miller, RHP Wilkel Hernandez
Chafin coming to camp on a minor-league deal makes a heated bullpen competition even more fierce. Brant Hurter, who pitched well for the Tigers down the stretch last season, might be most vulnerable. Hurter's command has been iffy in his first couple of spring outings. So if Chafin could push anyone out of this bullpen, it might be Hurter. Remember, though, that Chafin is coming to camp a bit late. Will he even be fully ramped up by Opening Day? That's a legitimate question. Hurter, meanwhile, can profile as a multi-inning option who could also help against left-handed-heavy lineups.
Advertisement
Brenan Hanifee, too, could push the Tigers away from carrying three left-handers in the bullpen. The sinkerball pitcher has looked good so far in camp and had a 1.84 ERA for the Tigers in 21 appearances last season. He had close to even splits last season, making him a legitimate option over Guenther or Hurter.
(Top photo of Meadows: Junfu Han / USA Today)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Breaking down LSU baseball's path to the College World Series Final
Breaking down LSU baseball's path to the College World Series Final

USA Today

time3 hours ago

  • USA Today

Breaking down LSU baseball's path to the College World Series Final

Breaking down LSU baseball's path to the College World Series Final LSU baseball is on its way to Omaha and the College World Series for the 20th time in program history. The Tigers punched their ticket after sweeping West Virginia in the Baton Rouge Super Regional. For head coach Jay Johnson, this marks his second time leading LSU to Omaha. LSU won it all in Johnson's first go-round, beating Florida in the CWS Final. LSU is one of the top programs in the sport. It's won seven national titles and when the Tigers get to Omaha, they expect to win it. The standard is high in Baton Rouge. Johnson knows that. As of Tuesday, the only team with a better chance to win it all than LSU is Arkansas, according to BetMGM. While LSU is among the favorites, this is a tough field, and LSU didn't catch a favorable draw, meeting Arkansas in Game 1. Here's a look at what LSU baseball's path to the College World Series Final could be. College World Series Format The College World Series consists of two four-team double-elimination brackets. Together, each bracket forms the eight-team field. The winner of each bracket will meet in the final, which is a best of three series. How could this play out for LSU? There are six distinct paths LSU baseball could take before reaching the CWS final or getting eliminated. Let's start with the simple ones. Tigers win three straight and secure spot in final If LSU goes 3-0 in its first three games, the Tigers are in the final. This requires beating Arkansas in Game 4 before beating the winner of UCLA vs. Murray State in Game 8. Then, LSU has to beat whoever fights their way out of the losers' bracket. In this scenario, there's a chance it's a rematch vs. Arkansas. LSU loses two straight and goes home This is the scenario Tiger fans don't want to think about, but the quickest path to LSU's season ending is back-to-back losses to open the CWS. This means LSU loses to Arkansas in its opener and loses again to the loser of UCLA vs. Murray State. LSU wins opener, but drops second game Let's say LSU beats Arkansas and UCLA beats Murray State, but then LSU drops one to UCLA in Game 8. Then, LSU would play the winner of Arkansas and Murray State in an elimination game. If LSU wins that elimination game... If LSU stays alive and wins the elimination game, the Tigers are back facing the team they lost to in Game 8. From there, LSU has to beat that team twice to secure a spot in the CWS final. LSU goes 2-0, but drops Game 12 If LSU starts 2-0, beating Arkansas and then beating the winner of UCLA vs. Murray State, the Tigers are in a prime position for the CWS final. But if LSU loses Game 12, it sets up a winner-takes-all game to advance to the final. This scenario could lead to LSU facing Arkansas three times. LSU beats Arkansas and UCLA/Murray State, then Arkansas battles out of the losers' bracket for a rematch with LSU. If the Razorbacks get the best of the Tigers in round two, they meet again with a trip to the CWS final on the line. Put simply, LSU's path to the CWS final likely involves beating Arkansas at least twice. Of course, there's a scenario where Arkansas goes 0-2, but I wouldn't bet on that. LSU loses first game and fights out of the losers' bracket If LSU loses to Arkansas in Game 4, the Tigers will be in a hole, but it's not insurmountable. A loss in Game 4 sends LSU to face UCLA/Murray State in the losers' bracket in Game 7. If LSU wins that, the Tigers move on to face Game 8's loser in Game 10.

MLB power rankings: Free-falling Phillies now stuck without Bryce Harper
MLB power rankings: Free-falling Phillies now stuck without Bryce Harper

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

MLB power rankings: Free-falling Phillies now stuck without Bryce Harper

The Philadelphia Phillies can't win. And Bryce Harper can't swing. Once comfortably perched atop the National League East, the Phillies are in danger of losing touch with the New York Mets and falling into a deep thicket of NL playoff contenders. Advertisement With nine losses in their past 10 games and franchise slugger Harper tossed on the injured list with a recurring wrist injury, the free-falling Phillies have dropped three spots in USA TODAY Sports' power rankings. Sunday, they were swept in Pittsburgh for the first time since June 2015 and now trail the Mets by four games. Next in town? The dynamic Chicago Cubs, neck-and-neck with the Mets for the NL's best record. A look at our updated rankings: Bryce Harper had an .814 OPS before going on the injured list. 1. Detroit Tigers (+1) World Series atmosphere in the D as Tigers take two of three from Cubs. Rank second in the NL in defensive runs saved. 3. New York Mets (-) Pete Alonso passes David Wright for second on franchise home run list. Next: Darryl Strawberry. 4. New York Yankees (+2) Jazz Chisholm roars off the IL with eight hits in 16 at-bats. 5. Los Angeles Dodgers (-4) Tony Gonsolin latest pitcher to land on IL heap – though at least his UCL is intact. Score six runs yet take two of three games at Milwaukee, thanks to pair of Manny Machado homers. Folk hero Late Night LaMonte Wade cut loose, but Dom Smith provides quick impact for flaccid offense. 8. Philadelphia Phillies (-3) After giving up 20 runs in two starts, Jesús Luzardo wonders if tipping pitches is to blame. 9. Houston Astros (+3) Jeremy Peña trails only Aaron Judge in AL WAR. 10. St. Louis Cardinals (-1) When it's going well: Yoshinobu Yamamoto shuts them down, but they somehow prevail. 11. Tampa Bay Rays (+6) That's 14 wins in 18 games and what's this, a playoff race? Louis Varland leads AL pitchers with 32 appearances – yet has a 0.99 WHIP. Brandon Woodruff's rehab road hits bump after he's struck in elbow by 108-mph line drive. George Springer's 2025 OPS-plus: 138. In 2024: 91. 15. Cleveland Guardians (-5) They sink to 24th in runs scored, once again imperiling good work of pitching staff. Jac Caglianone's Kauffman Stadium debut Tuesday against Yankees. George Kirby halts a five-game skid by striking out career-high 14. 18. Cincinnati Reds (+1) Christian Encarnacion-Strand returns from IL with a bang, homering in consecutive games. 19. Texas Rangers (-1) Jacob deGrom dominating, offense flailing. Is this the 2018 Mets? 20. Arizona Diamondbacks (+2) "Overall, I don't feel great," says manager Torey Lovullo while getting swept in Cincinnati. 21. Boston Red Sox (-1) An off day for Roman Anthony at Worcester and New England freaks out. Hey, not much else to get pumped about. 22. Washington Nationals (+1) Scored 11 runs in seven games as CJ Abrams, Keibert Ruiz slump. 23. Los Angeles Angels (+1) They scoop LaMonte Wade Jr. off the scrap heap from Giants. No love from California: 0-10 mark in Golden State after Giants sweep. Colton Cowser is back, and shows why they missed him. 26. Pittsburgh Pirates They finally win a Paul Skenes start but are 5-6 in his outings. (His ERA is 1.88). 27. Athletics (-) When they return to Yolo County, temperatures projected to hit 96 degrees. After a nearly 21-month absence, Eury Perez makes return from Tommy John surgery Monday. 29. Chicago White Sox (-) So when will that Ishbia cash kick in? In case they got too high from sweeping the Marlins, the Mets outscored them 25-8. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB power rankings: Phillies sink in NL East standings, Harper injury

Auburn football flips 2027 in-state safety from Florida State
Auburn football flips 2027 in-state safety from Florida State

USA Today

time6 hours ago

  • USA Today

Auburn football flips 2027 in-state safety from Florida State

Auburn football flips 2027 in-state safety from Florida State Scott is the Tigers' first 2027 commit after changing course from his Florida State pledge. On Monday, the Auburn Tigers got a boost for their 2027 recruiting class when safety Jaylen Scott flipped his commitment to Auburn from Florida State. Scott had originally committed to the Seminoles on Jan. 18 after he had attended Junior Day. He is currently rated as a four-star by 247Sports, who ranks Scott as the No. 9 safety and the No. 5 player in Alabama in the class. Scott plays at Williamson High School out of Mobile, Alabama. The Williamson Lions won 10 games in 2024 but were defeated, 31-6, by Clay Central in the second round of the 5A AHSAA Playoffs. Scott had 107 tackles last season, averaging almost nine per game. He also had four interceptions and one fumble recovery during his sophomore season. Scott also contributed on the offensive side of the ball by catching five passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. Scott is currently the only commit the Tigers have for 2027. The 2026 class, which sits at No 35 nationally, added its eight commitment on Monday in three-star athlete Eric Perry. That class has one safety commit in three-star Wayne Henry. The Tigers currently have a young group at the safety position, but by 2027 Auburn should be looking for some help in the secondary. For the 2025 class, Auburn added four-star recruits Eric Winters and Anquon Fegans. Both players are in-state prospects like Scott. They also added Taye Seymore from Georgia Tech. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Phillip on Twitter @PJordanSEC

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store