Detroit – The Tigers 2026 Opening Day roster is set.
The final decision, who would claim the final two spots in the bullpen, was made after the Tigers ended their exhibition schedule Tuesday with an 11-8 win against Colorado in Scottsdale, Ariz., when right-handed reliever Brenan Hanifee was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.
That meant that lefties Enmanuel De Jesus and Brant Hurter made the squad.
Earlier in the day Tuesday, manager AJ Hinch announced that outfielder Wenceel Perez and utility players Jace Jung and Trei Cruz were optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Infielders Max Anderson and John Peck, catcher Tomas Nido and pitchers Burch Smith, Sean Guenther and Ricky Vanasco, all non-roster players, were reassigned to minor league camp.
The Tigers opted to start Perez’s season in Triple-A after deciding that infielder Kevin McGonigle had won a spot on the Opening Day roster. It’s not a new experience for Perez. He’s started the last two seasons in Toledo, last year after he injured his back during the final exhibition game.
The switch-hitting Perez had a slow spring, going 6 for 38 with no extra base hits and 12 strikeouts.
Here then, is the roster the Tigers will bring to San Diego to start the season on Thursday:
Starting pitchers: Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander, Casey Mize.
Relievers: Kenley Jansen, Will Vest, Kyle Finnegan, Tyler Holton, Drew Anderson, Connor Seabold, Enmanuel De Jesus, Brant Hurter.
Catchers: Dillon Dingler, Jake Rogers.
Infielders: Spencer Torkelson, Gleyber Torres, Kevin McGonigle, Colt Keith, Zach McKinstry, Javier Baez.
Outfielders: Riley Greene, Parker Meadows, Kerry Carpenter, Matt Vierling, Jahmai Jones.
Chris.McCosky@detroitnews.com
@cmccosky
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Wenceel Perez is odd man out as Tigers set Opening Day roster
Reporting by Chris McCosky, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
