LAKELAND, Fla. -- Veteran infielder Gordon Beckham has earned a spot on the Detroit Tigers’ Opening Day roster, beating out Ronny Rodriguez to be the team’s utility infielder.

The Tigers purchased the contract of Beckham, a 32-year-old non-roster invitee to spring training, on Saturday morning. To create a spot on the 40-man roster, the Tigers placed pitcher Michael Fulmer on the 60-day injured list.

Rodriguez, 26, was optioned to Triple-A Toledo, where he’ll play several positions in a utility role and hope for a call back to Detroit.

Both Beckham and Rodriguez had strong springs offensively, but Beckham’s defensive strengths as a middle infielder gave him the edge.

A first-round draft pick out of the University of Georgia in 2008, Beckham was an everyday player for the Chicago White Sox from 2009 to 2014. He’s spent time on four teams as a utility player since then.

“It means a lot to me. I’ve been grinding in Triple-A the last two years, and this makes it worth it. I’m glad I did it," he said. “I think I appreciate this more than I do even my first call-up. It’s just different. In my first call-up I didn’t even know what was going on. You get to the big leagues and you don’t even realize what you’re doing. Now everything has come full circle.”

Beckham said at the beginning of camp that he would consider retirement if he didn’t make the big-league club. His odds to make the club were long from the outset, as the Tigers had a glut of infield options. The signing of second baseman Josh Harrison appeared to make Beckham’s path to a roster spot even more remote.

But Beckham hit .293/.408/.463 in 49 spring plate appearances while playing sterling defense at second base and shortstop.

“I’m glad I stuck it out,” he said.

In other news, backup catcher Bobby Wilson is no longer with the club. His locker was empty Saturday morning and his name plate was gone. The Tigers have yet to make an official announcement.

That would leave Cameron Rupp as the only catcher in camp after Grayson Greiner and John Hicks. Rupp said he hasn’t been told anything about his future.