Tigers make first minor league assignments from camp

I don't like the word "cuts." I think it's a better term for when someone's time with an organization is done, maybe a career-ending word for young players just trying to move up the minor league rung. So I wouldn't call what the Tigers did this morning as cuts. They did, however, make some options and re-assign some players to minor-league camps. Those players, via MLB.com's Jason Beck on Twitter.

Re-assigned to minor-league camp: Pitchers Chris Oxspring and John Bale, infielder Brandon Douglas, outfielders Avisail Garcia, Ben Guez, catchers Rob Brantly, Bryan Holaday, Patrick Leyland, John Murrian, Omir Santos

Optioned to Erie: Pitcher Jacob Turner

Optioned to Toledo: Pitchers Duane Below, Andrew Oliver, Lester Oliveros, Jose Ortega, infielders Audy Ciriaco, Cale Iorg, Ryan Strieby

I don't think there's any real surprises here. John Bale's attempts to make the bullpen were always going to be a long shot. Several of those players were invited to camp because the team needed extra catchers for all the pitchers. Well, there's fewer pitchers now, and no more split-squad games the rest of spring training.

Jacob Turner was almost certain to begin the year with Double-A Erie, and the players sent to Toledo were expected to start there too.

What NRIs are left in camp?

Pitchers Adam Wilk, Fu-Te Ni, Enrique Gonzalez, catcher Max St. Pierre, infielders Argenis Diaz and Scott Thorman, and outfielder Andy Dirks.