Angel Nesbitt

Angel Nesbitt is one of six right-handed relief pitchers remaining in Detroit Tigers camp. The Tigers are very likely to carry five of those six right-handers. Will Nesbitt make the cut?

(AP Photo)

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Some might think that the Detroit Tigers have five right-handers locked into bullpen spots and that there is no chance rookie Angel Nesbitt can make the opening day roster.

Others might believe that closer Joe Nathan is hanging by a thread and that the Tigers could release him prior to opening day, despite the fact that Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Thursday there is no competition for the closer's job right now.

Nesbitt has pitched well this spring for the Tigers, who have just six right-handed relief pitchers left in camp: Nathan, Nesbitt, Joakim Soria, Bruce Rondon, Al Alburquerque and Joba Chamberlain. The Tigers could carry six right-handers and one left-hander to start the season, but that's highly doubtful.

Nesbitt is a talented young pitcher who throws hard. Despite the fact that he has never pitched above the Double-A level, Nesbitt has made a very good impression in camp.

What are the most likely scenarios in which Nesbitt could head north with the Tigers for their April 6 opener? Glad you asked.

1. The Tigers might decide Bruce Rondon needs more time.

This is the most likely path to an opening day spot for Nesbitt. Rondon has looked good this spring. As far as his health goes, he is ahead of schedule. His velocity has been there. He looks surprisingly healthy for a guy who had Tommy John surgery about a year ago.

But still, throwing hard does not always equate to pitching well. The Tigers could decide that Rondon needs some more innings elsewhere to start the season. That would help him fine tune his secondary pitches and to build arm strength. That could help him to be better prepared to pitch in the majors over the long haul this season.

Will the Tigers make that move? Tough to tell. But it's more likely than any other scenario. Here is another one:

2. An injury could pop up at any time.

Opening day is less than two weeks away. Injuries can happen at any time. Just ask Tigers closer Joe Nathan, who had a finger on his pitching hand bleed throughout his outing Thursday after it was cut by his fingernail.

This scenario isn't likely, but you never can tell for sure. Remember, it wasn't that many years ago that Luis Marte was named to the opening day roster and then suffered an injury in the final Grapefruit League game of spring. Injuries happen.

3. The Tigers could cut ties with a right-hander.

Let's narrow down the candidates who could be released.

Soria is safer than anyone in the bullpen. He's not going anywhere. Alburquerque and Rondon have options remaining, but if they are healthy and pitching well then they're staying put, with the exception of the scenario involving Rondon listed earlier.

That leaves Nathan and Chamberlain, a pair of veterans on opposite ends of the salary spectrum for 2015. But here are reasons why the Tigers are unlikely to release Nathan or Chamberlain before opening day:

* With Nathan, it's about the money. Ausmus certainly will have Nathan on a shorter leash this season. Soria could end up being the closer. Nathan could eventually get released if he pitches poorly. But the Tigers are on the hook for $11 million for Nathan. It seems very likely that they will give him a shot in real games in April before making any rash moves. His time in Detroit could be short. But it's very likely he will be in the bullpen on April 6.

* When it comes to Chamberlain, it's about timing. He signed late and started out behind schedule. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has said multiple times that Chamberlain is a much better pitcher when he has adrenaline pumping during real games. Would the Tigers sign a guy on Feb. 24 and cut him less than six weeks later without seeing him throw in a regular season game? That would be an interesting way to invest $1 million. Sure, his salary -- in baseball terms -- is minuscule, but it's still, you know, $1 million.

If the Tigers decide that either Nathan or Chamberlain have absolutely nothing left in the tank, they could make a bold move and release one of them before opening day, thus opening up a spot for Nesbitt.

But that seems unlikely. The most likely scenario for Nesbitt to be with the Tigers on April 6 has more to do with Rondon -- and, of course, Nesbitt himself -- than it does anyone else.

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