DETROIT — Outfielder Christin Stewart, once one of the Detroit Tigers’ most promising prospects, was designated for assignment on Thursday, just four hours before the first pitch of Opening Day.
Stewart, 27, was selected by the Tigers with the 34th overall pick of the first round in 2015 out of the University of Tennessee. He made an impressive debut in 2018 and then hit the go-ahead home run to lead the Tigers to victory on Opening Day in 2019.
But while Stewart worked hard to improve his reputation as a subpar defender, the offensive production — and especially the power — that was supposed to be the hallmark of his game never successfully transferred from Triple-A to the big leagues.
Stewart hit .225 with a .676 OPS (80 OPS+) in 587 plate appearances at the big-league level over parts of three seasons.
The Tigers removed him from the 40-man roster in order to clear space for left-handed pitcher Derek Holland, who had to be added to the roster before Thursday’s game.
Stewart will now go on waivers and can be claimed by any team. If he goes unclaimed, the Tigers can outright him to Toledo and keep him in the organization.
The Tigers are carrying five outfielders on the active roster to start the season: Robbie Grossman, JaCoby Jones, Victor Reyes, Nomar Mazara and Rule 5 pick Akil Baddoo.
The signing of Mazara and the selection of Baddoo, both left-handed hitters, made it all but impossible for Stewart to win a job this spring. He went just 2-for-17 with 10 strikeouts this spring and was optioned relatively early in camp.
In additional move Thursday, the Tigers placed Rony Garcia on the 10-day injured list with an abdominal strain. He didn’t pitch at all this spring as he recovered from an appendectomy.
TIGERS’ 40-MAN ROSTER (40)
Players in bold are on the 26-man active roster.
Left-handed pitchers (7): Tyler Alexander, Matthew Boyd, Derek Holland, Daniel Norris, Tarik Skubal, Gregory Soto, Joey Wentz.
Right-handed pitchers (15): Beau Burrows, Jose Cisnero, Alex Faedo, Buck Farmer, Michael Fulmer, Kyle Funkhouser, Bryan Garcia, Rony Garcia, Joe Jimenez, Alex Lange, Matt Manning, Casey Mize, Franklin Perez, Julio Teheran, Jose Ureña.
Catchers (3): Grayson Greiner, Wilson Ramos, Jake Rogers.
Infielders (8): Miguel Cabrera, Jeimer Candelario, Harold Castro, Willi Castro, Niko Goodrum, Isaac Paredes, Jonathan Schoop, Zack Short.
Outfielders (7): Akil Baddoo, Daz Cameron, Robbie Grossman, Derek Hill, JaCoby Jones, Nomar Mazara, Victor Reyes.
Right-handed pitcher Spencer Turnbull is on the COVID-related injury list, which temporary removes him from the 40-man roster.
