Notes: Faedo's 2022 role; rotation fits for Alexander, Pineda

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The first couple rounds of Spring Training roster cuts typically don’t generate a lot of attention. It’s standard practice -- camps open with anywhere from 55-70 players, and in order to whittle that number down to 26 by Opening Day, a lot of players wind up packing up and moving to the Minor League side.

But the news on Tuesday that right-hander Alex Faedo was headed for Minor League camp should not be taken as a mere blip on the transaction log. The 26-year-old will start his season at Single-A Lakeland, but he’s not expected to stay there long.

“I know we optioned him to Lakeland; we've got a pretty regimented program for him for the first month,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “And then he'll get to the upper levels, where he's supposed to be.”

Just which “upper level” will Faedo reach? That will be determined later, based solely on how quickly he progresses. Barring setbacks, though, it’s possible that Faedo’s season, while beginning at Single-A, could end with a callup to the big leagues. And those aren’t long odds.

For now, Faedo’s focus is on the present. Fourteen months removed from Tommy John surgery, with a long, laborious rehab grind seemingly behind him, Faedo, the Tigers’ No. 15 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is ready to graduate from patient to prospect.

He completed that first step during a short, but meaningful, stay in big league camp, which included a one-inning appearance vs. the Yankees last Sunday, in front of several family and friends in his hometown of Tampa, Fla.

“It's been really nice being back out here, being able to go on the field and throw in a game with the team again,” Faedo said. “Last year, being here was fun, because I was still with the guys, but I was more in the training room. But being back to reality and getting back to the normal schedule, it was better than I remember it. I appreciate it even more and I’m really excited for what this ballclub has.”

Faedo, whose last spring appearance prior to surgery arrived just a few days before the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020, would have been pleased with any appearance in a game, even without the added jitters of pitching in front of loved ones. That was simply a bonus to the only thing that ever really mattered to the Tigers’ first-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft -- pitching, with a strong, healthy arm.

“Conquering the first game back for him was a big deal,” Hinch said. “He's handled it like a pro, he's respected the people that have helped him. He's got real stuff, so it's nice to have him back as a prospect again and not in the rehab column.”

More roster cuts
In addition to Faedo, the Tigers cut three more players from Major League camp on Tuesday: Right-handers Angel DeJesus (optioned to Triple-A), Elvin Rodriguez (optioned to Double-A) and Nivado Rodriguez (reassigned to Minor League camp). The Tigers have 55 players remaining in Major League camp.

Efficient Alexander
Tyler Alexander’s expected regular-season role seemed to have shifted when veteran Michael Pineda was added to the rotation mix, but for now, the lefty can expect to open the season as originally planned.

Pineda, who signed a one-year deal with the Tigers on Saturday, is a bit behind with his spring preparation, and thus, is unlikely to be completely up to speed the first turn through the rotation following Opening Day on April 8. Presuming Pineda will need more time, Alexander will assume the role as the fifth starter.

“We're not convinced that we can get Michael ready,” Hinch said.” We're going to see, but we're planning [Alexander] mentally and physically to be a starter.”

That could change once Pineda is at full strength, at which time Alexander might be pushed to the bullpen.

Alexander said Hinch gave him “a heads up” before the Pineda signing was official, and the two have had extensive conversations about where Alexander fits. He could move to the ‘pen as a bulk reliever, which would also provide insurance to the rotation in the event of an injury.

The uncertainty doesn’t appear to have interrupted Alexander’s focus. He threw 24 pitches (14 strikes) and faced the minimum over two scoreless innings in the Tigers’ 7-2 loss to the Phillies in Clearwater on Tuesday. The outing was so efficient that he threw another 15-20 pitches in the bullpen after he left the game.

“My mentality is build up to as many innings as I can here in spring, and then after that, I can't control it,” Alexander said. “I don't know if I'll start from here on out, but hopefully I go three [innings] in my next outing, and then we'll see. I can’t control if I start or relieve. ... I can just pitch.”