The Tigers made their final cuts today, setting their Opening-day 2007 roster and signaling that the beginning of the regular season is upon us.
● Something that some Tiger fans have been dreading for the 2007 season: Neifi Perez will be included on the 25-man roster from the start, as utility-infielder Ramon Santiago was sent packing to AAA Toledo.
Omar Infante will be the other backup-infielder on the 25-man, and can be used as a replacement in centerfield as well.
● Chris Shelton was cut today, meaning that primary backups at first-base behind Sean Casey will be Marcus Thames, Carlos Guillen and perhaps our new leadoff hitters against leftys, Pudge Rodriguez.
Danny Knobler reported that Dave Dombrowski still believes Shelton is the Tigers' first-baseman of the future, though.
● Based on the set opening day bullpen, Chad Durbin was the most impressive of the relief candidates this Spring, because he got the final spot.
He beat out the likes of Zach Miner, Bobby Seay and finally Felix Heredia -- who was released by the team today.
Wil Ledezma remains the only lefty in the pen this season. He will have Jamie Walker's shoes to fill, and as of right now will be the only one in the pen to have that task.
● Potential help for Ledezma was Rule-5 pickup Edward Campusano. In some pretty bad news, he will have to undergo Tommy John surgery.
The reliever will miss the entire 2007 season due to this procedure. This is very unfortunate indeed.