{"id":30766,"date":"2025-05-16T07:05:22","date_gmt":"2025-05-16T07:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/30766\/"},"modified":"2025-05-16T07:05:22","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T07:05:22","slug":"detroit-tigers-slash-8-players-in-4th-round-of-spring-training-cuts-including-417-hitter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/30766\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Tigers slash 8 players in 4th round of spring training cuts, including .417 hitter"},"content":{"rendered":"

The number of occupied lockers in the Detroit Tigers<\/a>‘ clubhouse at the TigerTown complex continues to shrink with 12 days until Opening Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Tigers cut eight players before Saturday’s game, reassigning all of them to minor league camp: right-handers Jordan Balazovic<\/a> and Brendan White<\/a>, left-handers Dietrich Enns<\/a> and Matt Gage<\/a>, infielder Andrew Navigato<\/a>, outfielders Akil Baddoo<\/a> and Bligh Madris<\/a> and catcher Brian Serven<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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It was the fourth round of roster cuts in spring training.<\/p>\n

The Tigers need to cut 13 more players before Opening Day on March 27 at the Los Angeles Dodgers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are 39 players in MLB spring training, not including the three players on the 60-day injured list. Of those 39 players, three are non-roster invitees: left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin<\/a>, catcher Tom\u00e1s Nido<\/a> and rising infielder\/outfielder Jahmai Jones<\/a>, though Nido will start the season in Triple-A Toledo.<\/p>\n

INJURY UPDATE: Parker Meadows fallout: Tigers have lots of CF options, including some surprises<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Detroit<\/p>\n

Detroit Tigers infielder Andrew Navigato practices a drill during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.<\/p>\n

None of the roster cuts were surprising, but Navigato had the best spring training among the position players<\/a> eliminated from Opening Day roster considerations.<\/p>\n

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Navigato, a 26-year-old right-handed hitter who awaits his MLB debut, hit .417 (10-for-24) with one home run, three walks and four strikeouts in 16 games this spring, posting a 1.148 OPS. He played 30 innings in left field, 21 innings at second base, six innings at third base and four innings at shortstop.<\/p>\n

Although Navigato is a below-average defender, he has impressed the Tigers on offense. He isn’t on the 40-man roster, but if the Tigers need a right-handed hitting utility player, he could find his way to the MLB level in 2025.<\/p>\n

For now, Navigato is slated to join Triple-A Toledo.<\/p>\n

In 2024, Navigato hit .271 with 21 home runs, 55 walks and 126 strikeouts across 128 games for the Mud Hens, spending most of his time at shortstop.<\/p>\n

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The other notable roster cut is Baddoo, who has been sidelined since the beginning of spring training with a hand injury that required surgery to repair a broken bone<\/a>. The 26-year-old has already made significant progress in his rehabilitation program, including playing catch and completing defensive drills.<\/p>\n

The next step for Baddoo is beginning a hitting progression in the coming days.<\/p>\n

JEFF SEIDEL: This Tigers infield prospect represents everything great about sports<\/a><\/p>\n

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Before spring training, Baddoo wasn’t in contention for an Opening Day roster spot, especially since he’s no longer on the 40-man roster anymore. However, the injuries to outfielders Parker Meadows<\/a> and Matt Vierling<\/a> would’ve created an opportunity for him.<\/p>\n

Instead, Baddoo remains on track to miss the start of the 2025 season. When healthy, he is expected to report to Triple-A Toledo.<\/p>\n

Contact Evan Petzold at\u00a0epetzold@freepress.com<\/a>\u00a0or follow him\u00a0@EvanPetzold<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Listen to our weekly Tigers show\u00a0“Days of Roar”<\/a>\u00a0every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com,\u00a0Apple<\/a>,\u00a0Spotify<\/a>\u00a0or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at\u00a0freep.com\/podcasts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers’ Andrew Navigato, Akil Baddoo in spring roster cuts<\/a><\/p>\n