Tigers cut 4 prospects from spring training, but not Kevin McGonigle

LAKELAND, FL – The Detroit Tigers optioned three players and reassigned one player to minor-league camp Monday, March 9, in the fifth round of 2026 spring training roster cuts, leaving 49 players remaining in MLB camp (not including two players on the 60-day injured list).

There are 17 days until Opening Day on March 26.

The four players: second/third baseman Hao-Yu Lee and catcher/first baseman Eduardo Valencia were optioned to Triple-A Toledo and catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo was optioned to Double-A Erie, while center fielder Max Clark was reassigned to minor-league camp.

ROSTER PREDICTION 2.0: Kevin McGonigle in, Parker Meadows out for 2026 Opening Day?

The biggest takeaway?

Top prospect Kevin McGonigle , a 21-year-old shortstop who hasn't played above Double-A Erie, is still in big-league camp with a chance to make the Opening Day roster. The door remains open for him to make his MLB debut for the Tigers on March 26 against the San Diego Padres .

Among the roster cuts, Clark ranks as the Tigers' No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline , followed by Lee at No. 6, Liranzo at No. 7 and Valencia at No. 25. Clark also ranks as the No. 10 prospect in baseball, with McGonigle as the No. 2 prospect on MLB Pipeline's top-100 list .

Clark struggled throughout his first MLB spring training.

The 21-year-old hit .111 (2-for-18) with one walk and five strikeouts in nine games, spanning 19 plate appearances. He also made multiple mistakes on defense, both in left and center field.

It was a learning experience.

This story will be updated.

Contact Evan Petzold at  epetzold@freepress.com  or follow him  @EvanPetzold .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers spring training roster cuts: Max Clark, other prospects