The Tigers had a spot on the Opening Day roster for Jace Jung, if he could win it. He could not.
Jung was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on Monday after struggling at the plate throughout spring training. Like any demotion, Tigers manager A.J. called the decision "personal and emotional."
"It just gets harder and harder as camp goes on, because the expectations from the players are real. Jace, in particular, was very disappointed," Hinch said, via the Free Press.
The Tigers were counting on Jung to serve at least in a platoon role at third after they missed out on free agent Alex Bregman, but he went 4-for-33 (.121) this spring. Hinch said that Jung's "timing was off almost entirely, even the first day."
"He ambushed a couple of balls to the pull side. But he just didn't make the adjustment timing wise to make this team," said Hinch.
A natural second baseman drafted 12th overall in 2022, Jung also has "some work to do on defense" at third, said Hinch. "I think he's got incrementally better, and he still needs to continue that."
Jung, 24, could be back with the Tigers soon if he finds his swing in Toledo, said Hinch. But for now, the former 12th overall pick is headed to the minors.
With Matt Vierling sidelined to start the season with a strained rotator cuff, the Tigers will turn to a rotating cast of players at third, featuring Zach McKinstry against right-handed pitchers and Andy Ibañez and even Javy Baez against lefties.
"It's going to be a timeshare, and I still believe that," Hinch said. "You will see Z-Mac there. You'll see Andy. Javy will get some time there, and then we'll see if anybody else factors in."