Tigers Daily Report
March 24, 2026
Executive Summary
With Manager A.J. Hinch impressed by his spring performance, prospect Kevin McGonigle remains in contention for the Tigers' Opening Day roster. McGonigle is three days from a possible major-league debut in San Diego.
Top Story
McGonigle Makes Late Pitch for Opening Day Spot as Roster Takes Shape
The Tigers have learned as much about the makeup of precocious prospect Kevin McGonigle as they have about his on-field skills this spring, regardless of where he may land. Manager A.J. Hinch has been impressed by McGonigle, saying "He's been incredible, both on the field and how he has dealt with all the attention and all this curiosity around where he is going to be opening day." McGonigle turned a 97 mph fastball around for a single that would have tied the game with two outs in the eighth in Monday's loss, though a throwing error on a bang-bang play ended the opportunity.
Source: The Detroit News
Around the Club
Roster — Right-hander Connor Seabold, signed Monday, will make the Opening Day roster after impressing the Tigers with adjustments that bumped his fastball to 94.1 mph on average this spring. Austin Slater exercised his rights to request his release when he wasn't added to the roster by Saturday's deadline.
Injuries — Gleyber Torres was scratched from the lineup on March 21 with lower back tightness and was expected to play March 23. Jake Rogers was placed in MLB concussion protocol after being struck in the face by his own bat while hitting in the cage, but he ran and caught a bullpen session on March 21.
Prospects — Detroit has a legitimate shot at fielding a lineup of nine players all drafted and developed within the organization, something that has never been done in the modern era since the MLB Draft began in 1965.
Schedule — Tarik Skubal will start Opening Day on March 26, followed by Framber Valdez on Friday, March 27, and Jack Flaherty closing out the San Diego series on Saturday.
Quick Hits
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Gleyber Torres was 2-for-3 with three RBIs in Monday's loss, singling in a run in the third and driving in another with an opposite-field hit.
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The Tigers have been encouraged by Kerry Carpenter's improved pitch recognition this spring, bumping his walk rate from 3.8 percent last season to 8.5 percent in spring training.
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Detroit's top five starting pitchers all have All-Star ability at their best in recent seasons, making this one of the best rotations in baseball.
Next Game
Colorado Rockies — 3:10 PM ET, March 24, 2026, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Scottsdale, Arizona
Tigers Daily Report — March 24, 2026