In the Tigers’ quest to finalize their rotation, Matt Manning, once a coveted first-round pick, seems to have been left in the dust. The focus has been squarely on Jackson Jobe, Casey Mize, Keider Montero, and Kenta Maeda as they vie for those coveted spots.

Manning, on the other hand, was once thought of as a long-shot contender, but not even as a bullpen option. Since Manning’s debut in 2021, it’s been a rocky road, peppered with injuries and inconsistent performances.

The Tigers have shuffled him between the majors and minors more times than they probably anticipated.

Last season, Manning sparked some hope with a strong start as Detroit’s extra man in a doubleheader against the Mets, carrying a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings. It was like a glimpse of what many had hoped for, but the excitement didn’t last long.

After a less than stellar showing for much of the season, he disappeared from the major league radar after May 19. Manning showed up on the spring training roster this year, but after surrendering eight earned runs across six innings in three outings, the writing was on the wall, and back to minor league camp he went.

The Tigers’ recent roster moves saw Manning, along with Chase Lee, Tyler Mattison, and Tyler Owens, being optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Meanwhile, Ryan Miller and Ricky Vanasco have been reassigned to minor league camp as the Tigers trim their Major League camp to 51 players.

The message is clear: Detroit’s patience might be wearing thin with Manning. While the Tigers generally avoid cutting ties with their promising prospects too soon—take Mize, for example—Manning’s short leash this spring suggests the clock is ticking. With the likes of Jobe, Mize, Montero, and Maeda solidifying roles, potentially even bolstering an already strong bullpen, Manning’s window appears to be closing rapidly.

In terms of a trade, the Tigers might not see much more than nominal returns, like cash or perhaps an unheralded prospect. Manning still glimpses the brilliance that made him a first-round pick in 2016—his performance against the Mets a case in point—but those moments are increasingly rare.

Manning’s departure from spring training may very well be the final chapter in his story with the Tigers. It seems the franchise is ready to cut their losses and move forward without him.