DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have officially released their Opening Day roster for the 2025 season.
In their release, the Tigers specified non-catcher position players as either infielders, outfielders, or infielders/outfielders. That’s a necessity now that the first three options in center field (Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling, and Wenceel Perez) are all on the injured list.
Here’s a full list of the position players.:
- Catchers: Jake Rogers, Dillon Dingler.
- Infielders: Colt Keith, Gleyber Torres, Spencer Torkelson, and Trey Sweeney.
- Outfielders: Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Manuel Margot.
- Infielders/outfielders: Zach McKinstry, Andy Ibanez, Javier Baez, and Ryan Kreidler.
You’ll notice Torkelson is listed as an infielder, so the Tigers might have abandoned the spring training experiment with him in the corner outfield.
Former infielders Baez and Kreidler have been thrust into at least part-time outfield roles due to the injuries at center field. Fans have been wanting more Baez, so it’s kind of a perfect solution.
Carpenter was probably going to be the primary designated hitter, but now that Meadows and Vierling are both out, the Tigers basically have to put him in right field. That means Torkelson will probably DH most games, since Keith has been moved full-time to first base.
Here are the pitchers who made the team:
- Starters: Tarik Skubal (L), Jack Flaherty, Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and Jackson Jobe.
- Relievers: Tyler Holton (L), Tommy Kahnle, Brenan Hanifee, Brant Hurter (L), Will Vest, Beau Brieske, Kenta Maeda, and John Brebbia.
No surprises in the starting rotation. Mize earned the final spot fair and square this spring. And I don’t think Jobe’s spot was every really in question.
The bullpen is a different story. The Tigers did the right thing, even though it was difficult: Demote Jason Foley to Triple-A.
Foley led the team in saves last season, but he was so ineffective down the stretch that A.J. Hinch didn’t use him in the ALDS. He was bad again this spring, so the Tigers rewarded Hanifee’s excellent rookie season and spring with a roster spot.
Hurter was also great for the Tigers last year, and even though his spring wasn’t nearly as clean, he was better than Andrew Chafin and deserves his spot.
Tigers fans will probably roll their eyes at Maeda, but he was electric this spring, missing bats with his splitter and slider while showing improved velocity. He’s also right where he should be.
The Tigers start the season with a tough three-game series at the World Series champion Dodgers. That means Tarik Skubal vs. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and the best roster in baseball.
On national TV. Sign me up.
