Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians - Saturday, July 19

Drew VerHagen was among several cuts the Detroit Tigers made Friday morning. He will be in the rotation for Triple-A Toledo.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

LAKELAND, Fla. -- When there are locker stalls on the sidewalk outside the Detroit Tigers clubhouse at Joker Marchant Stadium, that generally means some players have been cut.

There were locker stalls there Friday morning. The Tigers made several cuts.

Right-hander Drew VerHagen was the most notable of the cuts since he is the only one involved in the moves who played in the big leagues for the Tigers last season. The Tigers optioned VerHagen, pitcher Jose Valdez, infielder Dixon Machado and outfielder Daniel Fields to Triple-A Toledo.

The Tigers also optioned outfielder Wynton Bernard to Double-A Erie and assigned the contracts of pitcher Tim Melville and catchers Miguel Gonzalez and Austin Green to minor league camp.

VerHagen is headed to the rotation for Toledo and would be among a handful of candidates to be called up should the Tigers need a spot starter.

Machado is also a guy to keep an eye on. The Tigers have depleted much of their middle-infield depth through trades over the past year and could lose either Hernan Perez or Andrew Romine to waivers if one of them doesn't make the opening day roster. Machado made a strong showing this spring and could be called upon at some point this season should their be an injury at second base or shortstop.

Bernard, who was signed out of a tryout camp in Lakeland a year ago, opened some eyes with his play this spring. He went 6 for 18 with a double, a triple and four RBIs in 13 Grapefruit League games.

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