Tigers Roster Spot Battle Heats Up with McGonigle

Veteran outfielder's bid for roster spot could mean another player gets cut

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:19pm

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The Detroit Tigers have a crowded roster battle heading into the 2026 season, with veteran outfielder Kevin McGonigle vying for a spot on the Opening Day lineup. If McGonigle makes the team, it will mean another player has to be cut, leading to tough decisions for the Tigers' coaching staff.

Why it matters

The Tigers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and need to get their roster right. McGonigle's potential inclusion could shake up the team's plans and force them to make difficult choices about which players to keep.

The details

McGonigle, a 34-year-old outfielder, is competing for one of the final roster spots with the Tigers this spring. The team has 13 position player spots mostly spoken for, so McGonigle's inclusion would mean another player, likely an outfielder or utility infielder, would have to be cut from the roster.

  • The 2026 MLB season is set to begin on March 26.
  • The Tigers' Opening Day roster must be finalized by March 26.

The players

Kevin McGonigle

A 34-year-old veteran outfielder competing for a roster spot with the Detroit Tigers.

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What’s next

The Tigers will have to make their final roster decisions in the coming weeks before Opening Day.

The takeaway

The Tigers' roster battle shows the tough choices teams face in finalizing their lineups, with veteran players like McGonigle fighting for limited spots and potentially pushing out other contributors.