Tigers cut 5 more players from spring camp, including lefty reliever
The Tigers made their seventh round of roster cuts in 2026 spring training, sending five players – including lefty Konnor Pilkington – to the minors.
BRADENTON, FL – The Detroit Tigers reassigned five players to minor-league camp Wednesday, March 18, in the seventh round of 2026 spring training roster cuts, leaving 40 players in MLB camp (not including three players on the 60-day injured list). There are eight days until Opening Day on March 26. The five players reassigned to minor-league camp: right-handed relievers Scott Effross , Jack Little and Tanner Rainey , left-handed reliever Konnor Pilkington and outfielder Corey Julks .
All five players project to join Triple-A Toledo as minor-league signees. INJURY REPORT: Tigers' Beau Brieske to miss 2026 Opening Day after slip in practice Effross has been recovering from a left oblique strain. He recently initiated his throwing program.
The 32-year-old – the only sidearm reliever in camp – appeared in just three spring games for the Tigers before the injury. Effross has a previous relationship with a newcomer in the Tigers' front office from their time together with the Chicago Cubs: vice president of baseball strategy Alex Smith , who facilitated the minor-league contract between Effross and the Tigers. [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts ( Apple , Spotify ) ] The other three relievers – Little, Pilkington and Rainey – are healthy.
Rainey, 33, has the most experience in the big leagues among the four pitchers cut from camp, posting a 5. 52 ERA across 199 innings in 211 games during his eight-year MLB career. He won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals.