LAKELAND, Fla. -- Turns out, the competition for the final spot on the Detroit Tigers' 25-man Opening Day roster wasn't exactly a competition after all.

The Tigers placed infielder Brandon Inge on the 15-day disabled list early Tuesday with a strained left groin.

The move essentially finalizes the team's Opening Day roster.

Inge's disabled list stint will be backdated to March 30 and will prevent the team from having to make a cut to reach the 25-man limit.

For now, the move essentially allows the team to keep outfielders Clete Thomas, Andy Dirks and infielder Danny Worth -- barring an acquisition from outside the organization.

But a move will be required next week when the team calls up left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly, who is not on the 40-man roster, for his start April 12.

And an additional move will be needed in order to activate Inge, who is eligible to come off April 14.

“I know that they’re trying to make a decision," Inge said Monday. "The trainers are doing their job. I’m just going by what they say.”

The Tigers' team plane departs late Tuesday and will board 11 pitchers and 14 position players. The deadline for Detroit to submit its Opening Day roster to Major League Baseball is 5 p.m on Wednesday.

Leading up to Tuesday's move, the team had a couple options to consider involving Inge, who missed his fourth straight game Monday.

The Tigers could have released the 34-year-old, which likely would have forced them to eat the $6 million he is owed this year -- the final guaranteed year of his contract.

They also could have tried to deal Inge, who has reportedly drawn some trade interest from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Both options could be revisited in a week.

-- Follow James Schmehl on Twitter: @jamesschmehl.