Anthony Fenech, and George Sipple

Detroit Free Press

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Right-hander Shane Greene will be the Detroit Tigers’ fifth starter to start the season, that much is known.

The Tigers optioned left-handed pitcher Matt Boyd to Triple-A Toledo. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus that Greene, who started Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, will be the team’s No. 5 starter “barring something strange.”

Greene won the last rotation spot with a strong spring, pitching better than Boyd, injured lefty Daniel Norris and righty Buck Farmer. He has allowed four runs on 13 hits in 13 2/3 innings, with 14 strikeouts and three walks.

Ausmus on Tuesday said Farmer was only in contention for a bullpen spot.

Boyd will start the season in the Mud Hens’ rotation. He had a solid spring but needs more minor league seasoning. In five starts, he allowed eight earned runs on 19 hits, with 16 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings.

Right-handed pitchers Lendy Castillo and Logan Kensing, who are trying to win a spot on the 25-man roster, were each scheduled to pitch against the Orioles. Castillo and Kensing each entered the game with eight appearances this spring.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Matt Boyd encouraged by ever-improving slider

In recent days, the Tigers have jettisoned Steven Moya and Dixon Machado, Wynton Bernard, John Mayberry Jr. and Raffy Lopez, and Bruce Rondon, Bobby Parnell and Casey McGehee from major league camp. They also traded backup catcher Bryan Holaday to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.

Minor signings: They were gone, but not for long. The Tigers brought back third baseman McGehee and right-handed reliever Parnell on minor league deals today. They had been given their unconditional releases Monday, as the team avoided paying $100,000 retention bonuses. Both will start the season at Toledo.

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.

Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple.

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