As the Detroit Tigers gear up for spring training, one of the hottest topics is finalizing the pitching staff. With Kenley Jansen and Kyle Finnegan anchoring the bullpen, there are still a couple of spots up for grabs. The Tigers' Opening Day roster decisions might hinge on their first opponent: the San Diego Padres.
The Padres' lineup is stacked with right-handed power, featuring stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and the newly acquired Nick Castellanos. This right-handed dominance could shape how the Tigers configure their bullpen right out of the gate.
Among the potential candidates to make the roster is right-handed pitcher Matt Seelinger, a dark horse pick highlighted by MLB.com's Jason Beck. Seelinger, a former Pittsburgh Pirates draft pick, was plucked from the Independent leagues in 2024. Last season, he impressed at the Triple-A level with a 3.11 ERA in 36 appearances, striking out over 28% of the batters he faced.
Seelinger’s chances to break camp with the Tigers could improve if Detroit opts to tailor their bullpen to counter the Padres' lineup. However, his spring training debut in 2026 was less than ideal.
In his first outing, he struggled, recording just one out while allowing five runs on four walks and one hit. Facing only six batters, Seelinger will need to quickly rebound to keep his roster hopes alive.
If Seelinger doesn’t make the cut, Phil Bickford is another intriguing option. Bickford, who joined the Tigers on a minor-league deal, posted similar Triple-A stats to Seelinger last year.
With previous stints in the majors with the Dodgers and Yankees, Bickford could be a strategic fit for manager A.J. Hinch if the Tigers decide to play the matchup game from the start of the season.