DANA WAKIJIFOX Sports Detroit
-- It was going to be a long shot to make the team and that long shot ended Wednesday morning for Quintin Berry.
Berry, 28, was optioned to Triple-A Toledo before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Several things likely contributed to Berry's being sent down.
First, he was sidelined for part of spring training because of patellar tendinitis in his left knee, forcing him to miss valuable playing time.
Second, he's a left-handed hitter with very little power. He also plays only the outfield.
Third, Don Kelly has had a great spring, batting .304 with four home run and seven RBIs. The four home runs tie him for the team lead with Miguel Cabrera and Matt Tuiasosopo.
Manager Jim Leyland has praised Berry since he returned from the patellar tendinitis, saying he was swinging the bat well for someone who had not played a lot.
Berry was hitting .323 with a triple, an RBI and two stolen bases.
With the move, the Tigers are down to 28 players and need to cut to 25 (one position player, two pitchers) before the regular season.
Dirks plays in minor league game
Andy Dirks, who played in Sunday's game in Port St. Lucie after missing three with a bruised right knee, played in a minor league game Tuesday.
With the Toledo Mud Hens against Triple-A Oklahoma City, Dirks went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a double, a home run and a walk.
