The Detroit Tigers have made a notable decision by optioning Matt Manning, a former top prospect, to Triple-A Toledo. Manning, who was once seen as a future cornerstone of the Tigers’ pitching staff, found himself on the bubble entering spring training. Despite his potential, indicated by his past prospect rankings—No. 25 just a couple of years ago—his recent performances haven’t locked him a spot in the Tigers’ major league roster just yet.

Manning struggled with injuries, limiting his impact since his major league debut in 2021. His major league record stands at 11-15 with a 4.43 ERA over 50 appearances—a mix of promise clouded by inconsistency. Additionally, his strikeout numbers (178 in 254 innings) suggest that he’s still figuring out how to effectively navigate major league hitters.

Last season’s stint at Triple-A saw Manning chalk up a respectable 4.28 ERA and a refined K:BB ratio of 72:25 over 69.1 innings. However, his big league starts told a different story, culminating in a 4.88 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP, marks that clearly didn’t cement his place in the Tigers’ starting rotation.

Despite these setbacks, Manning is still very much part of the Tigers’ future plans. With Opening Day on March 27 and the team’s rotation yet to be finalized, Manning’s reassignment could be strategic. If any issues arise among the starters, expect Manning to be the first in line for a call-up.

For a team coming off a run to the ALDS, the Tigers are keen to assemble a rotation that can endure the grind of a full season and make another postseason push. Manning, armed with a renewed focus and lessons learned from his time in the minors, could still play a crucial role in Detroit’s quest for success.

It’s worth watching how the Tigers’ pitching lineup shakes out in the coming weeks, as the team hasn’t closed the door on Manning’s potential impact at the major league level. The situation remains fluid, reflective of the unpredictable nature of baseball careers and team decisions.