CLEARWATER, Fla. — Matt Manning entered spring training with the goal of winning a spot in the starting rotation. Last week, the Detroit Tigers decided to cut him from major-league camp, eliminating any chance of him opening the season in the majors.
This was planned.
The 23-year-old prospect, ranked by MLB Pipeline at No. 5 in the farm system, won't make his big-league debut until at least the midway point of 2021. He is arguably one of the best five or six pitchers available, but manager AJ Hinch made sure to send a different message.