LAKELAND, Fla. -- Detroit Tigers JaCoby Jones sprained his left shoulder while diving for a ball on Saturday, throwing a wrench into the team’s plans just five days before Opening Day.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Jones was undergoing an MRI but he would definitely start the season on the injured list.

“He’s got a sprain in the AC joint which means he’s going to be out for a little while," Gardenhire said. "These things don’t heal very quick.”

Gardenhire said the Tigers were still discussing how to replace Jones, who was slated to be the team’s everyday center fielder, but Mikie Mahtook and, to a lesser extent, Niko Goodrum would see more action at the position.

“You finally think you’ve got it all figured out, how the roster’s going to break down, and we were pretty content with it. And then this,” Gardenhire said. “We need him out there.

“A guy like JaCoby is huge out there. He protects both sides because he covers so much in the middle. It’s not going to easy. Up the middle, you’ve got to be strong, and he was strong."

Outfielders Victor Reyes and Dustin Peterson, who were slated to begin the year in Triple-A Toledo, could also be options.

The Tigers are not considering promoting prospect Daz Cameron, nor have they discussed adding anyone from outside the organization.

“We want to give (Cameron) time. He’s been rushed through a little bit and they don’t want to continue that rush,” Gardenhire said. “They don’t think he’s ready for it yet.”

In other news, Gardenhire said right-handed reliever Drew VerHagen would begin the year on the injured list after an MRI revealed inflammation in his forearm. VerHagen pitched as recently as Friday and was considered a lock for the bullpen.

“It’s nothing too awful serious but he definitely has a strained forearm,” Gardenhire said.

Absent any other moves, that means both Spencer Turnbull and Daniel Norris will start the season on the 25-man roster. Turnbull is likely headed for the rotation while Norris works out of the bullpen, although Gardenhire has not yet confirmed that arrangement.

The Tigers currently have 13 pitchers on the roster, including Norris and Turnbull. The others are starters Jordan Zimmermann, Matthew Boyd, Tyson Ross and Matt Moore; and relievers Shane Greene, Joe Jimenez, Reed Garrett, Blaine Hardy, Buck Farmer, Daniel Stumpf and Victor Alcantara.

If Mahtook takes over in center field, he would join these eight players in the Tigers’ everyday lineup: catcher Grayson Greiner; first baseman Miguel Cabrera; second baseman Josh Harrison; shortstop Jordy Mercer; third baseman Jeimer Canderlario; left fielder Christin Stewart; right fielder Nicholas Castellanos; and Niko Goodrum as a designated hitter/floater who could play any position.

The three bench spots would be filled by catcher John Hicks, infielder Gordon Beckham and whoever the Tigers choose to take Jones’ spot.

Cisnero, 29, was demoted just moments after he pitched two scoreless innings, striking out four. The journeyman impressed this spring, pumping a fastball in the upper 90s and racking up strikeouts. Gardenhire said he’ll provide valuable depth in Triple-A Toledo.

“This guy’s come a long way," Gardenhire said. "As he said when he left, ‘Thank you for the opportunity and I’ll see you soon.’ I like that statement.”