LAKELAND, Fla. -- It's not a day that anyone really looks forward to, but catcher James McCann and utility players Andrew Romine and Hernan Perez were the beneficiaries of the first major cuts Monday.
The Tigers optioned the contracts of catcher Bryan Holaday and outfielder Tyler Collins to Triple-A Toledo.
"(Holaday) was the toughest because of our previous relationship, in the sense that he was here all last year as one of our catchers and he was a very important part of the team and a very important part of the clubhouse," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "He's well liked by everyone."
McCann batted .371 with two RBI this spring in 17 games, while Holaday hit .200 with one home run (a grand slam) and six RBI in 12 games.
But Ausmus has said all along that he takes into account far more than just spring satistics.
"McCann makes us a better team, but I will say I think Bryan Holaday is a big-league catcher, as well, but we can't keep three catchers," Ausmus said.
Ausmus said Avila would get more playing time to start the season, but that could change.
"Certainly, McCann would see some left-handed pitching, and he would have to see some right-handed pitching, just because he couldn't be sitting on the bench that long," Ausmus said. "For instance, in the first week, I don't think we face a lefty.
"We can't just leave him sitting on the bench for a week, so he's going to get some at-bats."
McCann was happy he had made the team.
"I feel blessed for the opportunity, and excited to help this team win and make a World Series run," he said.
McCann has always been praised for his defense, but something former manager Jim Leyland said really stuck with him.
"He said, 'You can catch and throw, but you need to prove you can hit,'" McCann said. "So that's always kind of been in the back of my head and something I've taken to heart."
As for Collins, there just wasn't going to be enough playing time for him.
"Tyler understood the logic behind it from the angle that he wouldn't be used very much based on our lineup, based on the fact that we kind of have four outfielders already," Ausmus said. "And he understood that just sitting on the bench, getting 1-2 at-bats a week, wouldn't be good for him.".
The Tigers also assigned the contracts of catcher Manny Pina; infielders Jordan Lennerton, Jefry Marte and Aaron Westlake; and outfielders Xavier Avery and Jason Krizan to minor-league camp.
Ausmus said Krizan, who hit .250 with a home run and six RBI in 20 games, opened their eyes this spring with his bat.
"Everyone loved the way he swung the bat," Ausmus said. "He's going to kind of move into a utility role."
Ausmus said the positional roster was pretty much set, with the exception of Josh Wilson.
There are still decisions to be made about the bullpen.
SUPER-UTILITY GUYS
Neither Hernan Perez nor Andrew Romine were counting on traveling to Detroit, despite Monday's cuts.
Both players are infielders by trade but have been used all over the field this spring in order to try to win a super-utility job. Both are also out of options.
Tyler Collins, who had options left, was sent down to Triple-A Toledo with the thought that he wouldn't get enough playing time with Rajai Davis, Anthony Gose, Yoenis Cespedes and J.D. Martinez on the team.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Perez and Romine have done well in the outfield this spring and that he was comfortable using them there.
"They've both been pretty solid," Ausmus said. "I guess if I had to put someone in right field, I'd be more apt to go with Romine. Left field, I would say they're equal."
Perez said he was going to keep working.
"I'm going to fight 'til April 4," Perez said. "When we fly to Detroit, then I'll say, 'OK, I'm here.' I don't want to be like, 'Oh, I'm sure, I made the team.'
"No. I'm going to wait 'til April 4."
The next challenge for both is catching.
Ausmus said Perez would be sent to catch an inning or two in a minor-league game Monday, and Romine would do the same on Tuesday. Bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was going to watch both.
Romine's brother, Austin, is a catcher in the Yankees organization, and Andrew caught with him a little in the offseason.
"He told me, 'Just catch it. It doesn't matter what you look like, just catch the ball,'" Romine said. "I was like, 'Hey, thanks for the advice.'"
Both Perez and Romine have adjusted to playing all over the field.
"When I was in minor leagues, I've been playing everywhere," Perez said. "I've been playing outfielder. I've been feeling comfortable in the outfield right now.
"I feel good. I played there, first base in winter ball last year. I feel great."
Romine said he'll always consider himself an infielder but that he's had fun bouncing around.
"First base, I've got a lot more comfortable," he said. "Outfield, we do shag in the outfield quite a bit, so it's a little more comfortable. But first base, after getting some innings in, I feel a lot better over there."
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