The Tigers have completed their Opening Day Roster

They optioned second baseman Danny Worth to Toledo today and also sent down outfielder Andy Dirks and pitcher Adam Wilk. Worth made it a battle but this means that Will Rhymes is the starting second baseman to open the season. Jim Leyland has said that Carlos Guillen will have the job when he's healthy but his knee's not ready to go yet and he'll start the season on the DL.


Rhymes hit well last September in the 2 spot. Andy Dirks wasn't expected to be a big league factor this season but almost slugged his way onto the team. He was in a very heated and very competitive battle with Casper Wells, Brennan Boesch, and Clete Thomas for 2 reserve outfield spots. Boesch of course hit like an All-Star in the first half last season before slumping after the break. Wells got a September call up and got a lot of Boesch's former at bats. He hit well. Clete Thomas most of last season with an injury but has been up a number of times over the previous 2 seasons and was productive.

All of the guys hit very well, which gives Detroit plenty of options and made the decision tough. Boesch and Wells got the spots. Last season probably helped them both. Boesch has tremendous power and could be a 30 homer guy as long as he picks his pitches like he did in the first half, rather than pressing and swinging at pitchers pitches like he did in the second. Casper Wells has a nice bat but also a nice arm, pretty good speed, and is the best outfield defender other than Austin Jackson, and is able to back him up in center field. Those facts probably got them the nods. But Jim Leyland has already said we can expect to see Dirks and Thomas this season as roster moves are needed.

Detroit's looked good in Spring Training for what that's worth. 19-12, best record in Florida. The rotation and bullpen guys have all pitched well. Most everyone, regulars and the guys fighting for the last few spots, hit well in Florida. Jhonny Peralta has been in a slump but that's it. Hopefully he can turn it around, and hopefully nobody else starts April with an ice cold bat. Detroit could use a quick start. Justin Verlander especially has focused on that, since he's been terrible the last 2 Aprils in a row, with an ERA over 5.