Tigers trim nine players from roster - 3/18/08

03/18/2008 10:22 AM ET
Tigers trim nine players from roster
Four pitchers sent down during second round of cuts
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers' second round of cuts this spring brought them close to an Opening Day roster. Detroit reduced its camp population by nine players on Tuesday morning, including four pitchers.

Right-hander Virgil Vasquez and outfielder Brent Clevlen were optioned to Triple-A Toledo. The non-roster players assigned to Minor League camp were pitchers Freddy Dolsi, Chris Lambert and Preston Larrison, catchers Max St. Pierre and Nick Trzesniak and infielders Michael Hollimon and Scott Sizemore.

The moves reduced the Tigers' Spring Training roster to 37 players. That includes right-handers Jordan Tata and Joel Zumaya, who will be placed on the Major League disabled list when camp ends, and Francisco Cruceta, who still has not arrived. If reliever Fernando Rodney and catcher Vance Wilson begin the season on the DL as expected, that leaves 32 players vying for Opening Day roles.

The moves further whittle the size of the bullpen competition, too. Among the relievers left in camp vying for the final spot or two are Denny Bautista, Yorman Bazardo, Francis Beltran and Aquilino Lopez. Clay Rapada is also still in camp and will pitch in his first game of the spring Tuesday, but is expected to open the season at Triple-A Toledo.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

So then....Grilli is still around?

So in chart form:

Optioned to Triple-A Toledo

Right-hander Pitcher Virgil Vasquez
Outfielder Brent Clevlen

Assigned to Minor League camp

Pitcher Freddy Dolsi,
Pitcher Chris Lambert
Pitcher Preston Larrison
Catcher Max St. Pierre
Catcher Nick Trzesniak
Infielder Michael Hollimon
Infielder Scott Sizemore

Players to be on the ML disabled list when camp ends:

Right-hander Jordan Tata
Right-hander Joel Zumaya
Francisco Cruceta, who still has not arrived to ST

Relievers left in camp:

Denny Bautista
Yorman Bazardo
Francis Beltran
Aquilino Lopez
Clay Rapada - but is expected to open the season at Triple-A Toledo

tigersaint wrote:

So then....Grilli is still around?

He has made the team.

DAMN!!