Notes: Tigers make cuts; Jones hits 430-foot slam

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Tigers began the process of trimming their roster by re-assigning four non-roster invitees to Minor League camp: Right-handers Wilmer Flores and Wilkel Hernandez, catcher Eliezer Alfonzo and infielder Eddys Leonard.

None of the moves were a surprise. The Tigers kept a smaller camp than in previous years in part to focus on Major League roster competitions, but wanted to bring in some prospects who could benefit from the big league camp experience. None of the four prospects is ranked in MLB Pipeline's Top 30.

Alfonzo went 3-for-8 with a double and two RBIs in Grapefruit League play.

Hernandez allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in four innings this spring, walking three and striking out three.

Leonard, previously ranked among the top 30, went 2-for-15 with a double and an RBI this spring. He’s expected to return to Triple-A Toledo, where he hit .263/.326/.455 last year with 10 home runs and 26 RBIs in 67 games.

Flores, a former MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospect, has been rehabbing in camp after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right shoulder in January. Once he’s healthy, he’ll likely return to Toledo, where he spent most of last season pitching out of the bullpen.

Big fly Jahmai

While the Tigers survey their outfield options with Matt Vierling out, Jahmai Jones continued to make his case as another right-handed bat in the outfield, recording two big hits off Phillies lefty starter Jesús Luzardo on Wednesday. After Jones led off the first inning with a line drive to the left-field wall for a double, his 430-foot grand slam propelled a six-run second inning.

“Just one of those days,” said Jones, now 5-for-18 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBIs this spring.

Though a strong wind blowing out aided the offense in Detroit’s 17-7 win, neither of Jones’ hits needed much help. His grand slam had a 112.2 mile-per-hour exit velocity, but his double was hit even harder at 113.8.

“He has a track record [against lefties],” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He hasn’t been given a ton of opportunity in the big leagues. But it’s good to see him take the work he’s doing and take it into the game and get some incredibly positive results. To picture him in this competition, part of it is how he responds to better left-handed pitchers that he would face. Today was definitely a step forward.”

After review, Javy walks

The Tigers haven’t made many ABS challenges in recent days, but after Javier Báez was called out on strikes in his second at-bat on a pitch the veteran shortstop clearly disagreed with, the Tigers encouraged him to use the challenge. After review, the pitch was ruled off the plate, prompting Báez to pump his first. He pumped his fist again after drawing ball four on the next pitch, prompting even plate umpire Laz Diaz to have some fun with it.

“I’m not sure if that was on your bingo card of things you were going to see in the spring,” Hinch said. “But it was fun to see. And ironically, that inning is so completely different if that’s a strikeout instead of a walk that led to a six-run inning.

“I’m not sure Javy remembered he could challenge it until a little bit of nudging, but it was good to see.”