Enmanuel De Jesus has become a national hero in Venezuela, but his future with the Tigers is uncertain. De Jesus' impressive performance in the WBC quarterfinals against Japan, where he struck out Ohtani, has caught the attention of the Tigers' manager, AJ Hinch. Hinch praises De Jesus' emotional pitching and his ability to engage the fans, but the question remains: what role will he play on the Tigers' roster?
De Jesus, a starting pitcher, is currently ranked No. 6 or No. 7 on the Tigers' depth chart, behind established starters like Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Justin Verlander, Casey Mize, and his teammate Keider Montero. The Tigers' manager acknowledges that De Jesus' path to making the Opening Day roster is challenging, as he will need to compete for a spot in the bullpen or as a starter. Hinch mentions that the team will need more starters than the current five, and the decision will be made based on strategic considerations and the team's performance throughout the season.
The Tigers' pitching depth is further complicated by the presence of other pitchers like Montero, Ty Madden, Bryan Sammons, Sawyer-Gipson Long, Jackson Jobe, and Troy Melton, who could also be considered for either starting or relief roles. Hinch emphasizes the importance of managing the rotation's quality and keeping pitchers healthy, as bouncing them back and forth between roles can be stressful. The team's decisions will be made along the way, with the goal of finding the best fit for each player.
In other news, Tarik Skubal, who pitched well against the Blue Jays, is expected to join Team USA for the WBC semifinals and finals. Hinch clarifies that Skubal is not on the active roster but will be a valuable teammate. The Tigers' spring training games have also been focused on improving defensive play, with Hinch expressing his desire for more live batting practice and game reps for the prospects, such as Kevin McGonigle and Jace Jung.
The Tigers' schedule continues with Jack Flaherty starting against the Phillies and Justin Verlander against the Orioles, both in Lakeland. Casey Mize will pitch in a night game against the Pirates in Bradenton on Wednesday. The team's minor-league campers, including first-round draft pick Jordan Yost, have also been joining the Tigers for training, providing an opportunity for them to observe and learn from the big-leaguers.
