Minneapolis — If you don’t think this game can be rough on a player’s psyche, consider Brandon Dixon.
He led the Tigers in home runs last season with 15. He played in 117 games, hit .248 in 420 plate appearances. He played every position on the field except shortstop and catcher. Yes, he even pitched.
And for his troubles, he was designated for assignment, signed back on a minor-league contract and spent the season at the alternative training site in Toledo, where he watched a parade of younger players — Travis Demeritte, Derek Hill, Jorge Bonifacio, Isaac Paredes and Sergio Alcantara — get called up to Detroit.